Network Coding-based Multi-Path Forward Erasure Correction for Tactical Scenarios

Abstract

This paper formalizes and evaluates a promising technique to overcome packet loss in tactical scenarios, called Network Coding-based Multi-Path Forward Erasure Correction (CoMPEC). Thereby, encoded redundancy packets are sent over a secondary path to correct packet loss on the main path without the usage of feedback or retransmissions. Formal equations are presented to calculate the benefits in terms of packet loss rate after decoding and coding gain. To evaluate the potential for tactical scenarios, a simulation was conducted, which is based on the Anglova path loss data. The presented evaluation verifies CoMPEC's ability to significantly reduce the packet loss rate at the receiver, if the scheme is applicable.