Quasi-linear Network Coding

TL;DR

This paper introduces quasi-linear network coding, a heuristic method for designing vector non-linear network codes in non-multicast networks, involving an approximation over reals and quantization to improve coding rates.

Contribution

It proposes a novel two-phase heuristic approach for non-linear network code design, linking network parameters to code rate performance.

Findings

The method effectively designs vector non-linear network codes.

Connections between network parameters and code rate are established.

The approach offers a practical alternative to existing coding strategies.

Abstract

We present a heuristic for designing vector non-linear network codes for non-multicast networks, which we call quasi-linear network codes. The method presented has two phases: finding an approximate linear network code over the reals, and then quantizing it to a vector non-linear network code using a fixed-point representation. Apart from describing the method, we draw some links between some network parameters and the rate of the resulting code.