Modeling and comparative analysis of Forward Error Correction in the context of multipath redundancy

In recent years mobile devices have shown increased computational power as well as simultaneous access to multiple wireless networks that combined with advanced modulation schemes that make better use of the available bandwidth has resulted in faster transmission rates. These facts are the bases that allow for efficient mechanisms to provide more reliable communications; namely through both, Forward Error Correction and the Multipath Real-Time Protocol. In this paper, a mathematical model that accounts for the playback success of media in the context of Real Time Communications is presented. The analytical model relies on a two-state Markov process that is typical of impaired wireless environments subjected to fading. Moreover, the model is validated through an experimental framework that emulates the different loss, latency and burstiness conditions introduced in the Markov process. Specifically both, theoretical and experimental, probabilities of successful playback are compared and contrasted against media quality scores.