Maths can speed internet communications, says research team
1 min read
Researchers from Aalborg University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the California Institute of Technology believe the use of mathematical equations can speed internet based communications significantly.
Rather than using the current packet based system, the team has developed a network coding approach – called random linear network coding – in which mathematics is used to store and send the message. The advantage is said to be that errors do not require that a packet be resent. Instead, the upstream and downstream data are used to reconstruct what is missing using a mathematical equation.
The team used a four minute long mobile video as an example. In their study, the video was downloaded five times faster than state of the art technology streamed without interruptions. In comparison, the original video got stuck 13 times along the way.
"This has the potential to change the entire market," said Professor Frank Fitzek, pictured, from Aalborg. "In experiments with our network coding, equipment manufacturers experienced speeds that are five to ten times faster than usual. And this technology can be used in satellite communication, mobile communication and regular Internet communication from computers."
