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How MIT and Caltech's Coding Breakthrough Could Accelerate Mobile Network Speeds

colinneagle (2544914) writes "What if you could transmit data without link layer flow control bogging down throughput with retransmission requests, and also optimize the size of the transmission for network efficiency and application latency constraints? In a Network World post, blogger Steve Patterson breaks down a recent breakthrough in stateless transmission using Random Linear Network Coding, or RLNC, which led to a joint venture between researchers at MIT, Caltech, and the University of Aalborg in Denmark called Code On Technologies.

The RLNC-encoded transmission improved video quality because packet loss in the RLNC case did not require the retransmission of lost packets. The RLNC-encoded video was downloaded five times faster than the native video stream time, and the RLNC-encoded video streamed fast enough to be rendered without interruption.

In over-simplified terms, each RLNC encoded packet sent is encoded using the immediately earlier sequenced packet and randomly generated coefficients, using a linear algebra function. The combined packet length is no longer than either of the two packets from which it is composed. When a packet is lost, the missing packet can be mathematically derived from a later-sequenced packet that includes earlier-sequenced packets and the coefficients used to encode the packet."

3 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. what the FEC... by bugs2squash · · Score: 3, Funny

    they've invented forward error correction, this could enable data communications and audio CDs.

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    Nullius in verba
  2. sounds like an ad for the future fast lane by CaptainStumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Xfinity video in your face 4650% faster! Xfinity introduces the RLNC fast lane data transmission! Its like an over caffeinated jaguar solving linear matrices while orbiting the earth in the space shuttle and doing coke. RAAAWRR! Don't like the jaguar? Tough floating jaguar shit, you don't have a choice! We own teh tubes! ©omcastic!

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    It will be better to purchase from an owner who is a good farmer and a good builder.
  3. Word by Dan+East · · Score: 5, Funny

    "the immediately earlier sequenced packet". There a word for that. It's called "previous". As in "the previous packet".

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    Better known as 318230.