Dynamic programming for optimization of system throughput with application to selective-repeat ARQ protocols over broadcast channels

This paper studies packet network data link layer error control protocols suitable for point-to-multipoint communication. We optimize the throughput performance of two new selective-repeat protocols which differ in the way the sender uses the outcomes of the previous transmission. In both protocols, multiple copies of a data frame are sent (instead of just a single copy). The optimum number of copies is determined based on how many receivers have not yet received the data frame. A dynamic programming technique is used to solve this optimization problem. The results show that by sending the optimum number of copies of a data frame instead of just a single copy, the throughput will be significantly improved.