Distributed Lossy Averaging

An information theoretic formulation of the distributed averaging problem previously studied in computer science and control is presented. We assume a network with m nodes each observing a WGN source. The nodes communicate and perform local processing with the goal of computing the average of the sources to within a prescribed mean squared error distortion. The network rate distortion function R^*(D) for a 2-node network with correlated Gaussian sources is established. A general cutset lower bound on R^*(D) is established and shown to be achievable to within a factor of 2 via a centralized protocol over a star network. A lower bound on the network rate distortion function for distributed weighted-sum protocols, which is larger in order than the cutset bound by a factor of log m is established. An upper bound on the network rate distortion function for gossip-base weighted-sum protocols, which is only log log m larger in order than the lower bound for a complete graph network, is established. The results suggest that using distributed protocols results in a factor of log m increase in order relative to centralized protocols.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur

The effect of short ray trajectories on the scattering statistics of wave chaotic systems

In many situations, the statistical properties of wave systems with chaotic classical limits are well-described by random matrix theory. However, applications of random matrix theory to scattering problems require introduction of system specific information into the statistical model, such as the introduction of the average scattering matrix in the Poisson kernel. Here it is shown that the average impedance matrix, which also characterizes the system-specific properties, can be expressed in terms of classical trajectories that travel between ports and thus can be calculated semiclassically. Theoretical results are compared with numerical solutions for a model wave-chaotic system

Fourier-Domain Electromagnetic Wave Theory for Layered Metamaterials of Finite Extent

The Floquet-Bloch theorem allows waves in infinite, lossless periodic media to be expressed as a sum of discrete Floquet-Bloch modes, but its validity is challenged under the realistic constraints of loss and finite extent. In this work, we mathematically reveal the existence of Floquet-Bloch modes in the electromagnetic fields sustained by lossy, finite periodic layered media using Maxwell's equations alone without invoking the Floquet-Bloch theorem. Starting with a transfer-matrix representation of the electromagnetic field in a generic layered medium, we apply Fourier transformation and a series of mathematical manipulations to isolate a term explicitly dependent on Floquet-Bloch modes. Fourier-domain representation of the electromagnetic field can be reduced into a product of the Floquet-Bloch term and two other matrix factors: one governed by reflections from the medium boundaries and another dependent on layer composition. Electromagnetic fields in any finite, lossy, layered structure can now be interpreted in the Fourier-domain by separable factors dependent on distinct physical features of the structure. The developed theory enables new methods for analyzing and communicating the electromagnetic properties of layered metamaterials.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figure

Demonstration of amplitude-distortion correction by modal dispersal and phase conjugation

We demonstrate experimentally and explain theoretically polarization-preserving imaging through a lossy amplitude-distorting medium. This is accomplished by propagating the beam, before its arrival at the lossy distorting medium, through a (multi) mode- and polarization-scrambling fiber and reflecting the signal, after it has passed the lossy distorting medium, from a photorefractive phase-conjugate mirror