The concept of physical-layer network coding (PNC) was proposed in 2006 for application in wireless networks. Since then it has developed into a subfield of communications and networking with a wide following. This book is a primer on PNC. It is the outcome of a set of lecture notes for a course for beginning graduate students at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The target audience is expected to have some prior background knowledge in communication theory and wireless communications, but not working knowledge at the research level. Indeed, a goal of this book/course is to allow the reader to gain a deeper appreciation of the various nuances of wireless communications and networking by focusing on problems arising from the study of PNC. Specifically, we introduce the tools and techniques needed to solve problems in PNC, and many of these tools and techniques are drawn from the more general disciplines of signal processing, communications, and networking: PNC is used as a pivot to learn about the fundamentals of signal processing techniques and wireless communications in general. We feel that such a problem-centric approach will give the reader a more in-depth understanding of these disciplines and allow him/her to see first-hand how the techniques of these disciplines can be applied to solve real research problems. As a primer, this book does not cover many advanced materials related to PNC. PNC is an active research field and many new results will no doubt be forthcoming in the near future. We believe that this book will provide a good contextual framework for the interpretation of these advanced results should the reader decide to probe further into the field of PNC.

This SpringerBrief presents channel estimation strategies for the physical later network coding (PLNC) systems. Along with a review of PLNC architectures, this brief examines new challenges brought by the special structure of bi-directional two-hop transmissions that are different from the traditional point-to-point systems and unidirectional relay systems. The authors discuss the channel estimation strategies over typical fading scenarios, including frequency flat fading, frequency selective fading and time selective fading, as well as future research directions. Chapters explore the performance of the channel estimation strategy and optimal structure of training sequences for each scenario. Besides the analysis of channel estimation strategies, the book also points out the necessity of revisiting other signal processing issues for the PLNC system. Channel Estimation of Physical Layer Network Coding Systems is a valuable resource for researchers and professionals working in wireless communications and networks. Advanced-level students studying computer science and electrical engineering will also find the content helpful.

Discover a new, network-aware coding strategy that uses existing signal interactions to enhance network efficiency, capacity and security.

Network coding is an elegant and novel technique that allows nodes in the network to perform coding operations at the packet level. In particular, network coding represents a powerful approach to protect data from losses due to link disconnections and can also exploit the combination of multiple links to deliver data to users with the possibility of recoding at intermediate nodes. This phenomenon will reduce information congestion at some nodes or links, which will improve the network information flow such as to increase network throughput and robustness. This book is intended to provide the current R

This book offers means to handle interference as a central problem of operating wireless networks. It investigates centralized and decentralized methods to avoid and handle interference as well as approaches that resolve interference constructively. The latter type of approach tries to solve the joint detection and estimation problem of several data streams that share a common medium. In fact, an exciting insight into the operation of networks is that it may be beneficial, in terms of an overall throughput, to actively create and manage interference. Thus, when handled properly, "mixing" of data in networks becomes a useful tool of operation rather than the nuisance as which it has been treated traditionally. With the development of mobile, robust, ubiquitous, reliable and instantaneous communication being a driving and enabling factor of an information centric economy, the understanding, mitigation and exploitation of interference in networks must be seen as a centrally important task.

This book brings together papers presented at the 2017 International Conference on Communications, Signal Processing, and Systems (ICCSP 2017), which was held on July 14–17, 2017 in Harbin, China. Presenting the latest developments and discussing the interactions and links between these multidisciplinary fields, the book spans topics ranging from communications, signal processing and systems. It is aimed at undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics students, researchers and engineers from academia and industry as well as government employees.