Wireless-aware Network Coding: Solving a Puzzle in Acyclic Multi-stage Cloud Networks

An immense number of mutually interacting nodes increases the complexity of wireless cloud networks design/analysis. This complexity is driven by an enormous amount of degrees of freedom in the system, which are available even if a logical network structure is clearly defined and channel characteristics are known (at least locally). These degrees of freedom comprise distribution of information through the cloud, terminal(s) & relay(s) node processing (modulation, coding, relaying techniques) etc. In this paper we try to develop a framework for analysis/design of such cloud networks. We propose a partitioning of the generally complex cloud analysis/design problem into three separate tasks, which can be analysed (to some extent) independently. By identifying the mutual relations among these three tasks (and the outer conditions) the entire cloud network can be designed/analysed, similarly as a large picture can be created by assembling interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces. The idea of Wireless-aware Network Coding will be identified as a cornerstone of our framework, providing a primary insight into the information flows passing through the cloud network. This principle will be demonstrated in an analysis of a simple single-stage system.