Deletion channel

A deletion channel is a communications channel model used in coding theory and information theory. In this model, a transmitter sends a bit (a zero or a one), and the receiver either receives the bit (with probability ${\displaystyle p}$) or does not receive anything without being notified that the bit was dropped (with probability ${\displaystyle 1-p}$). Determining the capacity of the deletion channel is an open problem.

The deletion channel should not be confused with the binary erasure channel which is much simpler to analyze.