Computational Information Theory and Coding

Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Brunswick NJ

Investigators

Abstract

Computational information theory is concerned with techniques (such as channel coding) for achieving channel capacities. The field has achieved dramatic scientific breakthroughs in recent years, and codes that come close to theoretical limits have been discovered. Today, the development of coding and information theory is closely related to the explosion of information technology, with applications to the Internet and the next generation of networks technologies. The rapid development of a myriad of networked devices for computing and telecommunications presents new and exciting challenges for coding and information theory. This project will explore interconnections among coding theory, theoretical computer science, information theory, and related areas of computer science and mathematics in order to deal with research challenges arising from optical/magnetic recording and optical transmission, the interface between information theory and symbolic dynamics, the development of network information theory, advances in high speed data transmission in wired channels, the connection between coding theory and related mathematical approaches (especially using discrete mathematics), the role of compression in all layers of data networks, and exploiting the connections between algorithmic complexity and notions of entropy and randomness. Research efforts will be carried out by ``working groups'' that will come together at DIMACS for several meetings aimed at catalyzing communications and collaborations. Subgroups will investigate problems of interest. The working groups will be concerned with Data Compression in Networks and Applications and with Optical/Magnetic Recording and Optical Transmission. The project will integrate research and education through a series of workshops aimed at identifying areas for research, involving large groups of researchers in the field of computational information theory and coding, and introducing many people (including outstanding junior people and students) to the field. Workshops are planned on the topics of High Speed Data Transmission in Wired Channels, Network Information Theory, Complexity and Inference, Information Theory and Symbolic Dynamics, and Coding Theory and Discrete Mathematics.