Communication over Finite-Chain-Ring Matrix Channels

Though network coding is traditionally performed over finite fields, recent work on nested-lattice-based network coding suggests that, by allowing network coding over certain finite rings, more efficient physical-layer network coding schemes can be constructed. This paper considers the problem of communication over a finite-ring matrix channel $Y = AX + BE$, where $X$ is the channel input, $Y$ is the channel output, $E$ is random error, and $A$ and $B$ are random transfer matrices. Tight capacity results are obtained and simple polynomial-complexity capacity-achieving coding schemes are provided under the assumption that $A$ is uniform over all full-rank matrices and $BE$ is uniform over all rank-$t$ matrices, extending the work of Silva, Kschischang and K\"{o}tter (2010), who handled the case of finite fields. This extension is based on several new results, which may be of independent interest, that generalize concepts and methods from matrices over finite fields to matrices over finite chain rings.Comment: Submitted to IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, April 2013. Revised version submitted in Feb. 2014. Final version submitted in June 201

Network Communication with operators in Dedekind Finite and Stably Finite Rings

Messages in communication networks often are considered as "discrete" taking values in some finite alphabet (e.g. a finite field). However, if we want to consider for example communication based on analogue signals, we will have to consider messages that might be functions selected from an infinite function space. In this paper, we extend linear network coding over finite/discrete alphabets/message space to the infinite/continuous case. The key to our approach is to view the space of operators that acts linearly on a space of signals as a module over a ring. It turns out that modules over many rings $R$ leads to unrealistic network models where communication channels have unlimited capacity. We show that a natural condition to avoid this is equivalent to the ring $R$ being Dedekind finite (or Neumann finite) i.e. each element in $R$ has a left inverse if and only if it has a right inverse. We then consider a strengthened capacity condition and show that this requirement precisely corresponds to the class of (faithful) modules over stably finite rings (or weakly finite). The introduced framework makes it possible to compare the performance of digital and analogue techniques. It turns out that within our model, digital and analogue communication outperforms each other in different situations. More specifically we construct: 1) A communications network where digital communication outperforms analogue communication. 2) A communication network where analogue communication outperforms digital communication. The performance of a communication network is in the finite case usually measured in terms band width (or capacity). We show this notion also remains valid for finite dimensional matrix rings which make it possible (in principle) to establish gain of digital versus analogue (analogue versus digital) communications

Algebraic number theory and code design for Rayleigh fading channels

Algebraic number theory is having an increasing impact in code design for many different coding applications, such as single antenna fading channels and more recently, MIMO systems. Extended work has been done on single antenna fading channels, and algebraic lattice codes have been proven to be an effective tool. The general framework has been settled in the last ten years and many explicit code constructions based on algebraic number theory are now available. The aim of this work is to provide both an overview on algebraic lattice code designs for Rayleigh fading channels, as well as a tutorial introduction to algebraic number theory. The basic facts of this mathematical field will be illustrated by many examples and by the use of a computer algebra freeware in order to make it more accessible to a large audience

Integer-Forcing MIMO Linear Receivers Based on Lattice Reduction

A new architecture called integer-forcing (IF) linear receiver has been recently proposed for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) fading channels, wherein an appropriate integer linear combination of the received symbols has to be computed as a part of the decoding process. In this paper, we propose a method based on Hermite-Korkine-Zolotareff (HKZ) and Minkowski lattice basis reduction algorithms to obtain the integer coefficients for the IF receiver. We show that the proposed method provides a lower bound on the ergodic rate, and achieves the full receive diversity. Suitability of complex Lenstra-Lenstra-Lovasz (LLL) lattice reduction algorithm (CLLL) to solve the problem is also investigated. Furthermore, we establish the connection between the proposed IF linear receivers and lattice reduction-aided MIMO detectors (with equivalent complexity), and point out the advantages of the former class of receivers over the latter. For the $2 \times 2$ and $4\times 4$ MIMO channels, we compare the coded-block error rate and bit error rate of the proposed approach with that of other linear receivers. Simulation results show that the proposed approach outperforms the zero-forcing (ZF) receiver, minimum mean square error (MMSE) receiver, and the lattice reduction-aided MIMO detectors.Comment: 9 figures and 11 pages. Modified the title, abstract and some parts of the paper. Major change from v1: Added new results on applicability of the CLLL reductio

Cyclic division algebras: a tool for space-time coding

Multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends of a wireless digital transmission channel may increase both data rate and reliability. Reliable high rate transmission over such channels can only be achieved through Space–Time coding. Rank and determinant code design criteria have been proposed to enhance diversity and coding gain. The special case of full-diversity criterion requires that the difference of any two distinct codewords has full rank. Extensive work has been done on Space–Time coding, aiming at finding fully diverse codes with high rate. Division algebras have been proposed as a new tool for constructing Space–Time codes, since they are non-commutative algebras that naturally yield linear fully diverse codes. Their algebraic properties can thus be further exploited to improve the design of good codes. The aim of this work is to provide a tutorial introduction to the algebraic tools involved in the design of codes based on cyclic division algebras. The different design criteria involved will be illustrated, including the constellation shaping, the information lossless property, the non-vanishing determinant property, and the diversity multiplexing trade-off. The final target is to give the complete mathematical background underlying the construction of the Golden code and the other Perfect Space–Time block codes

Interference alignment for the MIMO interference channel

We study vector space interference alignment for the MIMO interference channel with no time or frequency diversity, and no symbol extensions. We prove both necessary and sufficient conditions for alignment. In particular, we characterize the feasibility of alignment for the symmetric three-user channel where all users transmit along d dimensions, all transmitters have M antennas and all receivers have N antennas, as well as feasibility of alignment for the fully symmetric (M=N) channel with an arbitrary number of users. An implication of our results is that the total degrees of freedom available in a K-user interference channel, using only spatial diversity from the multiple antennas, is at most 2. This is in sharp contrast to the K/2 degrees of freedom shown to be possible by Cadambe and Jafar with arbitrarily large time or frequency diversity. Moving beyond the question of feasibility, we additionally discuss computation of the number of solutions using Schubert calculus in cases where there are a finite number of solutions.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, final submitted versio