Interference Channel with Intermittent Feedback

We investigate how to exploit intermittent feedback for interference management. Focusing on the two-user linear deterministic interference channel, we completely characterize the capacity region. We find that the characterization only depends on the forward channel parameters and the marginal probability distribution of each feedback link. The scheme we propose makes use of block Markov encoding and quantize-map-and-forward at the transmitters, and backward decoding at the receivers. Matching outer bounds are derived based on novel genie-aided techniques. As a consequence, the perfect-feedback capacity can be achieved once the two feedback links are active with large enough probabilities.Comment: Extended version of the same-titled paper that appears in IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT) 201

Achievable Regions for Interference Channels with Generalized and Intermittent Feedback

In this paper, we first study a two-user interference channel with generalized feedback. We establish an inner bound on its capacity region. The coding scheme that we employ for the inner bound is based on an appropriate combination of Han-Kobayash rate splitting and compress-and-forward at the senders. Each sender compresses the channel output that is observes using a compression scheme that is \`a-la Lim et al. noisy network coding and Avestimeher et al. quantize-map-and-forward. Next, we study an injective deterministic model in which the senders obtain output feedback only intermittently. Specializing the coding scheme of the model with generalized feedback to this scenario, we obtain useful insights onto effective ways of combining noisy network coding with interference alignment techniques. We also apply our results to linear deterministic interference channels with intermittent feedback.Comment: To appear in Proc. of the 2014 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory, 6 pages, 2 figure

Delay Minimization for Instantly Decodable Network Coding in Persistent Channels with Feedback Intermittence

In this paper, we consider the problem of minimizing the multicast decoding delay of generalized instantly decodable network coding (G-IDNC) over persistent forward and feedback erasure channels with feedback intermittence. In such an environment, the sender does not always receive acknowledgement from the receivers after each transmission. Moreover, both the forward and feedback channels are subject to persistent erasures, which can be modelled by a two state (good and bad states) Markov chain known as Gilbert-Elliott channel (GEC). Due to such feedback imperfections, the sender is unable to determine subsequent instantly decodable packets combination for all receivers. Given this harsh channel and feedback model, we first derive expressions for the probability distributions of decoding delay increments and then employ these expressions in formulating the minimum decoding problem in such environment as a maximum weight clique problem in the G-IDNC graph. We also show that the problem formulations in simpler channel and feedback models are special cases of our generalized formulation. Since this problem is NP-hard, we design a greedy algorithm to solve it and compare it to blind approaches proposed in literature. Through extensive simulations, our adaptive algorithm is shown to outperform the blind approaches in all situations and to achieve significant improvement in the decoding delay, especially when the channel is highly persisten

Does the motor system need intermittent control?

Explanation of motor control is dominated by continuous neurophysiological pathways (e.g. trans-cortical, spinal) and the continuous control paradigm. Using new theoretical development, methodology and evidence, we propose intermittent control, which incorporates a serial ballistic process within the main feedback loop, provides a more general and more accurate paradigm necessary to explain attributes highly advantageous for competitive survival and performance

On Minimizing the Maximum Broadcast Decoding Delay for Instantly Decodable Network Coding

In this paper, we consider the problem of minimizing the maximum broadcast decoding delay experienced by all the receivers of generalized instantly decodable network coding (IDNC). Unlike the sum decoding delay, the maximum decoding delay as a definition of delay for IDNC allows a more equitable distribution of the delays between the different receivers and thus a better Quality of Service (QoS). In order to solve this problem, we first derive the expressions for the probability distributions of maximum decoding delay increments. Given these expressions, we formulate the problem as a maximum weight clique problem in the IDNC graph. Although this problem is known to be NP-hard, we design a greedy algorithm to perform effective packet selection. Through extensive simulations, we compare the sum decoding delay and the max decoding delay experienced when applying the policies to minimize the sum decoding delay [1] and our policy to reduce the max decoding delay. Simulations results show that our policy gives a good agreement among all the delay aspects in all situations and outperforms the sum decoding delay policy to effectively minimize the sum decoding delay when the channel conditions become harsher. They also show that our definition of delay significantly improve the number of served receivers when they are subject to strict delay constraints