Coded multi-terminal communication systems: theory, applications and experiments

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A vast majority of practical communication scenarios involves multiple terminals and/or users, e.g., in wireless and optical data access networks, in transmission over multi-antenna (MIMO) channels, in distributed compression of correlated surveillance images or sensor measurements.  Results in network information theory (information theory of multi-terminal systems) indicate that appropriate multi-terminal coding can result in huge performance gains, in terms of transmission rates, compressibility, achievable spectral efficiencies, etc., when compared to communication architectures based on traditional single-terminal communication techniques. These gains are often of the order of magnitude, e.g., the aggregate throughput of a multi-access channel with Gaussian noise can be theoretically increased by as much as 20 times with multi-user decoding, when compared to traditionally used random access network protocols or single-user based CDMA transmission. Similarly, space-time codes and MIMO communication systems can offer more than ten-fold increases in capacities and spectral efficiencies of wireless communication links. Finally, efficient distributed compression in wireless sensor networks can be only achieved with appropriate network coding for the Slepian-Wolf problem.              Realizing the mentioned large performance gains leads often to open problems and novel unexplored scenarios in communication systems theory, coding, modulation/demodulation, compression, etc. The main objective of this proposal is to continue building a research program in coded multi-terminal systems, i.e., communication systems that involve more than one transmitter and/or receiver. The principal investigator aims to use the momentum and expertise in this area, obtained by him and his research team during the past 5 years. We have successfully demonstrated several world firsts, e.g., turbo compression in the Slepian-Wolf problem, overloaded OCDMA network transmission with multi-access channel coding,  near-capacity transmission for uplink MIMO systems with tens of antennas yet practical complexity.                The specific research objectives and approaches of this proposal can be outlined as follows: 1) THEORY: (a) Design near-Shannon limits achieving turbo codes and iterative decoding algorithms for selected multi-terminal problems of practical interest;  (b) Derive analytical, closed form BER evaluation techniques for turbo coded multi-terminal systems; (c) Perform robustness and sensitivity analysis of system parameters using applied tools from information theory.   2) APPLICATIONS: Apply the designed turbo codes, decoding algorithms and/or performance evaluation techniques to communication problems of practical interest, e.g., (a) MIMO-based wireless data access networks envisioned for the 3G and 4G cellular standards; (b) Overloaded optical CDMA network transmission; (c) Magnetic and optical recording systems with multiple tracks and read-heads; (d) Error robust and distributed turbo compression techniques for surveillance data and wireless sensor networks. 3) EXPERIMENTS: Using our recently set-up FPGA-based hardware-software platform for multi-terminal algorithm development and real-time testing (a) Develop real-time implementations of the proposed coded techniques; (b) Test these techniques in real-time, emulated communication scenarios using off-line channel measurements and real data sources; (c) Enable and participate in potential transfer of developed technologies to system demonstrators and prototyping platforms.             In terms of the significance of the proposed research program, global communication systems are progressing rapidly towards high-speed digital services available anytime and anywhere. Every year, these systems are generating multibillion dollar revenues and rely on system level solutions which are specific to the particular communication scenario (wireless, optical or recording; voice, data or video; uplink or downlink; macro, micro or pico cell, etc.)   Expected theoretical and applied contributions are in coding, modulation and performance evaluation of multi-terminal communication systems. Obtained research results are expected to have impact on the low complexity design of power and bandwidth efficient transceivers for the global communication infrastructure.   In addition, graduate (and undergraduate) students trained in close mentorship during the proposed program and supported via the requested funding will be in demand by prestigious research labs and telecom companies, as indicated by the principal investigator's track record over past 5 years.