Coding in a Channel with Generalized Defects and Random Errors

The author introduces a model of a channel with generalized defects and random errors, this being an aggregate consisting of a deterministic channel from a specified class $\Phi$, followed by a channel with random errors of specified multiplicity. It is assumed that the deterministic channel is known to the encoder but not to the decoder. Coding and decoding methods for such a channel are described. Lower bounds are obtained for the information-transmission rate for zero error probability, for an arbitrary set of deterministic channels $\Phi$ and arbitrary multiplicity of random errors.