Integrating network coding into heterogeneous wireless networks

Abstract

Abstract-We investigate the problem of integrating network coding into heterogeneous wireless networks where a number of coding nodes are to be placed among legacy nodes that do not handle network coding operations well. In particular, we seek to understand better the following questions: 1) how many coding nodes are needed, 2) where should the coding nodes be located, and 3) how should the coding nodes interact with other noncoding nodes? To this aim, we apply our previously proposed evolutionary algorithm that operates as a distributed protocol and present quantifiable results through various simulations. We also consider the algorithm's operation in lossy environments and show that the temporally distributed structure of our algorithm offers a significant advantage in overcoming the adverse effect of packet erasures.