Network Coding: From Theory to Practice
Youghourta Benfattoum, Steven Martin, Khaldoun Al Agha · 2012
The main idea behind the concept of network coding is that instead of considering the node as a simple information flow relay, network coding allows the node to combine several packets into a single packet. This chapter explains the theoretical aspects of network coding and its evolution, from its advantage in terms of maximum capacity to its use of random values allowing it to be scalable and put into practice. It describes some theoretical approaches such as max-flow min-cut, admissible coding rate, linear code, algebraic resolution and random code. In practical approach, network coding is used in diverse network topologies that include wireless multihop networks, cellular networks, and wired networks. The chapter shows that the capacity obtained with the use of network coding could achieve the maximum reachable capacity and algorithms have been proposed to find the appropriate coding technique. Controlled Vocabulary Terms cellular networks; linear code; network coding; Spread spectrum communication