Using progressive codes for lossy source communication
Nima Sarshar, Xiaolin Wu, Jia Wang, Sorina Dumitrescu · Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2011
In the previous chapters, we studied the merits of using balanced multiple-description codes, along with carefully optimized routing strategies for lossy source communication in heterogeneous networks. As discussed in the first part of this book, network coding is able to improve the network communication throughput, when compared to routing only. Starting from this chapter, we consider themerits of using network coding for lossy source communication. The problem becomes very complex in its most general form. Some of the complexities are apparent from the discussion in the following section. A practical subclass of the problem uses progressive source codes along with carefully optimized network coding strategies for efficient multicast of compressible sources, and is the subject of this chapter. But first, some general notes on using network coding for lossy communications. Lossy source communication with network coding: an introduction The lossy source communication strategies studied so far have been based on routing of multiple-description codes. The descriptions have been routed and duplicated in the network, without network coding. In this chapter, we start introducing lossy source communication methods that may use network coding ideas for network delivery. We start by introducing a generalization of the network coding problem, called Rainbow Network Coding (RNC). Unlike the current formulation of network coding, RNC recognizes the fact that the information communicated to different members of a multicast group can be different in general.