Telchemy Incorporated Title: Packet Loss Distributions and Packet Loss Models

This contribution discusses the general problem of modelling packet loss distribution in IP networks, and is intended to provide input to Q.12 study of IP network behaviour and background material for the Q.8 and Q.16 groups. The factors that cause packet loss and packet discard within jitter buffers are generally transient in nature, typically related to congestion or link failure. This leads to “sparse bursts”, i.e. periods of time ranging from milliseconds to tens of seconds during which packet loss rate can be significant (e.g. 30%). Using a simple consecutive loss definition of packet loss burstiness can hide the fact that these sparse bursts commonly occur and hence may lead to understatement of the degree of impairment of a Voice or Video call.