Performance analysis of the error-forecasting decoding for interleaved block codes on Gilbert-Elliott channels

This paper investigates the performance of the error-forecasting decoding f or an interleaved block code on Gilbert-Elliott channels in terms of the wo rd-error probability, which is the sum of the decoder error and failure pro babilities, We derive expressions by constructing several Markov chains, st arting from a two-state Markov chain of the Gilbert-Elliott channel model, The derived formulas are examined for an interleaved Reed-Solomon code on s olid-density and moderate-density burst error channels. Numerical results i ndicate that the error-forecasting decoding can significantly improve the p erformance, particularly on solid-density burst error channels. The optimal depth of interleaving for the error-forecasting decoding is also numerical ly evaluated.