More efficient coding for wireless networks
Communication technology today relies heavily on wireless networking, from cellular networks to sensor networks in a multitude of environments. While major advances in wireless networking have been achieved since the 1990s, there is a knowledge gap in the area of practical signalling solutions. The EU-funded CODING FOR NETWORKS (Coding for multi-user channels for next generation wireless networks) project designed practical channel coding and modulation solutions that enable wireless networks to exploit interference more efficiently. Its main focus was on signalling for interference channels and two-way relay channels that are pivotal for future wireless communication systems. Among its key achievements, the project produced state-of-the-art code designs for Gaussian interference channels. It also designed robust signalling solutions for two-way relay channels that feature time and frequency selective fading. Moreover, the research led to producing short block length code designs aimed at simple multi-user set-ups, along with innovative coding and modulation solutions. In more technical detail, the project team has successfully developed a method of practical channel coding/modulation to implement codes directly for the interference channel. This brings technology closer to the theoretical limits of wireless technology, resulting in more efficient use of power and bandwidth resources in both static and fading channels. Moreover, the team developed a smart solution to overcome synchronisation issues for two-way relay systems, outperforming existing solutions in terms of data rates and the error probabilities. Also noteworthy was the development of a new method to design short length codes for use over multiple access channels that has proven its superiority in the area of ‘capacity achieving’ codes. Lastly, the team successfully developed a method to analyse performance of insertion/deletion channels and made groundbreaking progress in this area as well. The project’s results were published in 11 journal papers and 7 conference papers, providing valuable research on upgrading wireless networking and making it more efficient. The results come just in time as society demands faster and better wireless communication.
Keywords
Wireless networks, signalling solutions, CODING FOR NETWORKS, interference channels, two-way relay
