A Survey of Digital Fountain Codes and Its Application
Cao Xun-zhi · Dianzi xuebao · 2009
Most network communication based on TCP treats data as an ordered sequence of packets.This ordered-sequence paradigm of TCP is too restrictive when the data is large or is to be distributed to a large number of users.In the data transmission paradigm based on digital fountain codes,obviating the need for ordered data simplifies data delivery.Thus,digital fountain codes are a class of efficient codes which are suitable for reliable communication,and have been widely used in many respects.This paper surveys the principles of a few types of digital fountain codes and their advantages and disadvantages,and investigates their engineering applications.Some key problems needed to be solved in the study of digital fountain codes are pointed out.Finally,the future development and research directions of digital fountain codes are discussed.