A Rate-Distortion Exponent Approach to Multiple Decoding Attempts for Reed-Solomon Codes

Algorithms based on multiple decoding attempts of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes have recently attracted new attention. Choosing decoding candidates based on rate-distortion (R-D) theory, as proposed previously by the authors, currently provides the best performance-versus-complexity trade-off. In this paper, an analysis based on the rate-distortion exponent (RDE) is used to directly minimize the exponential decay rate of the error probability. This enables rigorous bounds on the error probability for finite-length RS codes and leads to modest performance gains. As a byproduct, a numerical method is derived that computes the rate-distortion exponent for independent non-identical sources. Analytical results are given for errors/erasures decoding.Comment: accepted for presentation at 2010 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory (ISIT 2010), Austin TX, US

On Multiple Decoding Attempts for Reed-Solomon Codes: A Rate-Distortion Approach

One popular approach to soft-decision decoding of Reed-Solomon (RS) codes is based on using multiple trials of a simple RS decoding algorithm in combination with erasing or flipping a set of symbols or bits in each trial. This paper presents a framework based on rate-distortion (RD) theory to analyze these multiple-decoding algorithms. By defining an appropriate distortion measure between an error pattern and an erasure pattern, the successful decoding condition, for a single errors-and-erasures decoding trial, becomes equivalent to distortion being less than a fixed threshold. Finding the best set of erasure patterns also turns into a covering problem which can be solved asymptotically by rate-distortion theory. Thus, the proposed approach can be used to understand the asymptotic performance-versus-complexity trade-off of multiple errors-and-erasures decoding of RS codes. This initial result is also extended a few directions. The rate-distortion exponent (RDE) is computed to give more precise results for moderate blocklengths. Multiple trials of algebraic soft-decision (ASD) decoding are analyzed using this framework. Analytical and numerical computations of the RD and RDE functions are also presented. Finally, simulation results show that sets of erasure patterns designed using the proposed methods outperform other algorithms with the same number of decoding trials.Comment: to appear in the IEEE Transactions on Information Theory (Special Issue on Facets of Coding Theory: from Algorithms to Networks

A Simple Proof of Maxwell Saturation for Coupled Scalar Recursions

Low-density parity-check (LDPC) convolutional codes (or spatially-coupled codes) were recently shown to approach capacity on the binary erasure channel (BEC) and binary-input memoryless symmetric channels. The mechanism behind this spectacular performance is now called threshold saturation via spatial coupling. This new phenomenon is characterized by the belief-propagation threshold of the spatially-coupled ensemble increasing to an intrinsic noise threshold defined by the uncoupled system. In this paper, we present a simple proof of threshold saturation that applies to a wide class of coupled scalar recursions. Our approach is based on constructing potential functions for both the coupled and uncoupled recursions. Our results actually show that the fixed point of the coupled recursion is essentially determined by the minimum of the uncoupled potential function and we refer to this phenomenon as Maxwell saturation. A variety of examples are considered including the density-evolution equations for: irregular LDPC codes on the BEC, irregular low-density generator matrix codes on the BEC, a class of generalized LDPC codes with BCH component codes, the joint iterative decoding of LDPC codes on intersymbol-interference channels with erasure noise, and the compressed sensing of random vectors with i.i.d. components.Comment: This article is an extended journal version of arXiv:1204.5703 and has now been accepted to the IEEE Transactions on Information Theory. This version adds additional explanation for some details and also corrects a number of small typo

Abstract cluster expansion with applications to statistical mechanical systems

We formulate a general setting for the cluster expansion method and we discuss sufficient criteria for its convergence. We apply the results to systems of classical and quantum particles with stable interactions

Quadripartite continuous-variable entanglement via quadruply concurrent downconversion

We investigate an intra-cavity coupled down-conversion scheme to generate quadripartite entanglement using concurrently resonant nonlinearities. We verify that quadripartite entanglement is present in this system by calculating the output fluctuation spectra and then considering violations of optimized inequalities of the van Loock-Furusawa type. The entanglement characteristics both above and below the oscillation threshold are considered. We also present analytic solutions for the quadrature operators and the van Loock-Furusawa correlations in the undepleted pump approximation.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure

Optimizing moxidectin dosing for Strongyloides stercoralis infections: insights from pharmacometric modeling

Moxidectin is a frontrunner drug candidate in the treatment of strongyloidiasis. A dose of 8 mg is recommended to treat this indication, which shows a reasonably good efficacy and tolerability profile. Yet, owing to the unique life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) that entails internal autoinfection, a curative treatment would be desirable. Population-based pharmacometric modeling that would help to identify an ideal dosing strategy are yet lacking. The aims of this study were to (i) explore the exposure-efficacy response relationship of moxidectin in treating S. stercoralis and (ii) evaluate whether moxidectin treatment outcomes in terms of cure rates at baseline as compared to post-treatment could be optimized. Our pharmacodynamic model suggests high predictive power (area under the concentration time curve-receiver operating characteristic [AUC-ROC] 0.817) in the probability of being cured by linking an exposure metric (i.e., AUC0-24 or maximum concentration [Cmax ]) to baseline infection intensity. Pharmacometric simulations indicate that with a minimum dose of 4 mg a maximum cure rate of ~ 95% is established in the low infection intensity group (larvae per gram [LPG] >/=0.4-1), whereas in the moderate-to-high intensity group (LPG >1) the cure rate plateaus at ~ 87%, following an 8 mg dose. To enhance efficacy further, studies using repeated dosing based on the duration of the autoinfection cycle, for example a two-dose regimen 3 weeks apart should be considered. Simulations revealed similar Cmax in both treatment courses of a two-dose regimen; hence safety should not be a concern. Collectively, our results provide evidence-based guidance for enhanced dosing strategies and should be considered when designing future treatment strategies

Centrifugal force induced by relativistically rotating spheroids and cylinders

Starting from the gravitational potential of a Newtonian spheroidal shell we discuss electrically charged rotating prolate spheroidal shells in the Maxwell theory. In particular we consider two confocal charged shells which rotate oppositely in such a way that there is no magnetic field outside the outer shell. In the Einstein theory we solve the Ernst equations in the region where the long prolate spheroids are almost cylindrical; in equatorial regions the exact Lewis "rotating cylindrical" solution is so derived by a limiting procedure from a spatially bound system. In the second part we analyze two cylindrical shells rotating in opposite directions in such a way that the static Levi-Civita metric is produced outside and no angular momentum flux escapes to infinity. The rotation of the local inertial frames in flat space inside the inner cylinder is thus exhibited without any approximation or interpretational difficulties within this model. A test particle within the inner cylinder kept at rest with respect to axes that do not rotate as seen from infinity experiences a centrifugal force. Although the spacetime there is Minkowskian out to the inner cylinder nevertheless that space has been induced to rotate, so relative to the local inertial frame the particle is traversing a circular orbit.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figure