Layering of Communication Networks and a Forward-Backward Duality

TL;DR

This paper introduces a layering procedure for transforming arbitrary networks into layered structures and establishes a forward-backward duality for linear network codes, enhancing understanding of network coding in layered communication networks.

Contribution

It proposes a novel layering method and derives a forward-backward duality for linear network codes, extending duality concepts in network coding.

Findings

Layering procedure effectively transforms arbitrary networks into layered networks.

Forward-backward duality provides new insights into linear network coding.

The duality resembles uplink-downlink duality in MIMO systems.

Abstract

In layered communication networks there are only connections between intermediate nodes in adjacent layers. Applying network coding to such networks provides a number of benefits in theory as well as in practice. We propose a "layering procedure" to transform an arbitrary network into a layered structure. Furthermore, we derive a "forward-backward duality" for linear network codes, which can be seen as an analogon to the "uplink-downlink duality" in MIMO communication systems.