Rethinking Reliability Using Network Coding: a Practical 5G Evaluation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that integrating Random Linear Network Coding into 5G networks can improve reliability and resource efficiency by reducing retransmissions, as shown through real-time implementation and evaluation.

Contribution

The work introduces a practical implementation of network coding at the IP layer in a 5G testbed, providing an alternative to traditional retransmission mechanisms.

Findings

RLNC can recover from packet losses with fewer transmissions than ARQ/HARQ.

Proper code rate selection maintains high throughput under packet loss.

Network coding can replace retransmission-based reliability in 5G systems.

Abstract

This work presents the design and implementation of a real-time network coding system integrated into the IP layer of a 5G testbed, offering an alternative to conventional retransmission-based reliability mechanisms such as ARQ and HARQ. Using a netfilter-based packet interception framework, we inject forward erasure correction using Random Linear Network Coding (RLNC) into live traffic between a gNB and UE over a 3GPP RF link. We evaluate a block coding scheme, analyzing its impact on throughput, jitter, and resource usage. Results show that with appropriate code rate selection, RLNC can fully recover from packet losses using fewer transmissions than ARQ/HARQ and maintain a high throughput, particularly under moderate-to-high packet loss rates. These findings demonstrate that network coding can effectively replace retransmission-based reliability in future wireless systems, with the potential for more efficient resource utilization.