AbstractError detection in arithmetic code is usually achieved by inserting markers in the source sequence during encoding. Transmission errors can then be detected in the decoding process if the inserted markers do not appear at the expected positions. Unlike the existing approaches in which the marker symbol is selected from the set of source symbols, we propose that the marker be created artificially so as not to affect the original distribution of the source symbols. Our scheme is proved to possess a better compression ratio than existing marker approaches at the same error misdetection probability. The relationship between codeword length expansion and error misdetection probability within a coded block is well formulated, which makes ...