Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention perform lossless source coding. Nested code structures are utilized to perform Random Access Source Coding (RASC), where the number of active encoders is initially unknown. Decoders can attempt to source decode using a number of Slepian-Wolf decoders corresponding to an estimated number of sources. Multiple source encoders are configured to receive start messages and transmit portions of codewords, selected by source encoding data from sources to remove redundancy, until an end of epoch message is received.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention employ a rateless coding strategy in which an encoder utilizes codewords located within a restricted subset of a multi-dimensional sphere. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured to encode message data as symbols using a rateless code until an end of epoch message is received, where the rateless code comprises a set of codewords characterized in that they are located within a restricted subset of a multi-dimensional sphere. A receiver receives observed symbols and at each of a predetermined set of decode times, determines whether a decoding rule is satisfied. When the decoding rule is satisfied, the receiver decodes at least one message using the rateless code and transmits an end of epoch message.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention perform lossless source coding. In several embodiments, a nested code structure is utilized to perform Random Access Source Coding (RASC), where the number of active encoders is initially unknown. In several embodiments, the decoder can attempt to decode using a number of Slepian-Wolf decoders corresponding to an estimated number of sources. One embodiment includes multiple source encoders configured to receive a start message and transmit a portion of a codeword selected by encoding data from a source until an end of epoch message is received. A source decoder can transmit at least one start message, and receive codeword portions transmitted by the plurality of source encoders. When a decoding rule is satisfied, the source decoder can decode data from multiple source encoders based upon received codeword portions, and cause the broadcast transmitter to transmit an end of epoch message.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product providing improved communication performance through network coding is presented. Coded packets are formed at a source node, the coded packets comprising a combination of original packets at the source node. The coded packets are transmitted to at least one destination node using an unreliable protocol. A reconstruction is formed based on received coded packets at the destination node, wherein when a number of received coded packets are equal to the number of transmitted coded packets the forming a reconstruction comprises forming a complete reconstruction and wherein when the number of received coded packets is less than the number of transmitted coded packets the reconstruction comprises forming a best attempt at reconstruction.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention employ a rateless coding strategy in which an encoder utilizes codewords located within a restricted subset of a multi-dimensional sphere. In one embodiment, a transmitter is configured to encode message data as symbols using a rateless code until an end of epoch message is received, where the rateless code comprises a set of codewords characterized in that they are located within a restricted subset of a multi-dimensional sphere. A receiver receives observed symbols and at each of a predetermined set of decode times, determines whether a decoding rule is satisfied. When the decoding rule is satisfied, the receiver decodes at least one message using the rateless code and transmits an end of epoch message.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the invention enable communicating using nested Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes. A nested LDPC code is an LDPC code having a full blocklength, where shorter blocklengths of the nested LDPC code can be utilized as shorter blocklength LDPC codes. In certain embodiments, a transmitter utilizes a nested LDPC code to communicate via a point-to-point connection. In several embodiments, multiple transmitters utilize nested LDPC codes to communicate simultaneously via a Random Access Channel. One embodiment includes a transmitter capable of encoding a message as symbols using a nested LDPC code until a feedback message indicating an end of epoch message is received. A receiver can determine whether a decoding rule is satisfied at predetermined decode times and transmit an end of epoch message when the decoder can decode a message based upon the nested LDPC code.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterizing networks are disclosed. In several embodiments, a network analyzer applies a network analysis to a network that replaces components of the network in a model of the network with equivalent or bounding models. The network analyzer can then characterize the simplified model of the network and an assessment can be made concerning the accuracy of the characterization of the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for random access communication in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are described in which receivers can handle uncoordinated transmissions of a large and unknown number of transmitters. Communication systems in accordance with many embodiments of the invention include a plurality of transmitters that encode message data as symbols using a rateless code. During transmission, the transmitters receive feedback messages at a predetermined set of potential decoding times until an end of epoch message is received. A receiver transmits at least one start of epoch message and, at each of a predetermined set of decoding times, determines whether a decoding rule is satisfied. When the decoding rule is satisfied, the receiver can decode at least one message from observed symbols based upon the rateless code. The receiver can end the transmission epoch by transmitting an end of epoch message.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing cooperation facilitators to achieve joint message and network state cooperation in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes: a plurality of transmitters; a receiver that has access to at least partial network state information and that includes a decoder configured to decode signals received via a multiple terminal channel from the plurality of transmitters using the at least partial network state information; and a cooperation facilitator. In addition, at least some of the plurality of transmitters are configured to transmit message information to the cooperation facilitator and the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the message information and the manner in which state information is utilized by the receiver to decode signals received via the multiple terminal channel.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for random access communication in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are described in which receivers can handle uncoordinated transmissions of a large and unknown number of transmitters. Communication systems in accordance with many embodiments of the invention include a plurality of transmitters that encode message data as symbols using a rateless code. During transmission, the transmitters receive feedback messages at a predetermined set of potential decoding times until an end of epoch message is received. A receiver transmits at least one start of epoch message and, at each of a predetermined set of decoding times, determines whether a decoding rule is satisfied. When the decoding rule is satisfied, the receiver can decode at least one message from observed symbols based upon the rateless code. The receiver can end the transmission epoch by transmitting an end of epoch message.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved data transmission utilizing a communication facilitator are described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a plurality of nodes, that each comprise: a transmitter; a receiver; and an encoder that encodes message data for transmission using a plurality of codewords; a cooperation facilitator node comprising: a transmitter; and a receiver; wherein the nodes are configured to transmit data parameters to the cooperation facilitator; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the data parameters received from the nodes; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to transmit cooperation parameters to the nodes; and wherein the encoder in each of the nodes selects a codeword from the plurality of codewords based at least in part upon the cooperation parameters received from the communication facilitator and transmit the selected codeword via the multiple access channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing cooperation facilitators to achieve joint message and network state cooperation in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes: a plurality of transmitters; a receiver that has access to at least partial network state information and that includes a decoder configured to decode signals received via a multiple terminal channel from the plurality of transmitters using the at least partial network state information; and a cooperation facilitator. In addition, at least some of the plurality of transmitters are configured to transmit message information to the cooperation facilitator and the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the message information and the manner in which state information is utilized by the receiver to decode signals received via the multiple terminal channel.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. T h e coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: A network and a communication method are described. The network comprises: source nodes, receiver nodes, and coding nodes. The coding nodes are connected with input links for communication of input signals to the coding nodes and output links for communication of output signals from the coding nodes. The output signals are a linear combination of the input signals. The coefficients of the linear combination are deterministically chosen based on local information available locally at the coding node.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved data transmission utilizing a communication facilitator are described in accordance with embodiments of the invention. One embodiment includes a plurality of nodes, that each comprise: a transmitter; a receiver; and an encoder that encodes message data for transmission using a plurality of codewords; a cooperation facilitator node comprising: a transmitter; and a receiver; wherein the nodes are configured to transmit data parameters to the cooperation facilitator; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to generate cooperation parameters based upon the data parameters received from the nodes; wherein the cooperation facilitator is configured to transmit cooperation parameters to the nodes; and wherein the encoder in each of the nodes selects a codeword from the plurality of codewords based at least in part upon the cooperation parameters received from the communication facilitator and transmit the selected codeword via the multiple access channel.