Analog Multiple Description Joint Source-Channel Coding Based on Lattice Scaling

Joint source-channel coding schemes based on analog mappings for point-to-point channels have recently gained attention for their simplicity and low delay. In this paper, these schemes are extended either to scenarios with or without side information at the decoders to transmit multiple descriptions of a Gaussian source over independent parallel channels. They are based on a lattice scaling approach together with bandwidth reduction analog mappings adapted for this multiple description scenario. The rationale behind lattice scaling is to improve performance through bandwidth expansion. Another important contribution of this paper is the proof of the separation theorem for the communication scenario of multiple description with side information at the decoders. This proof allows us to compare the performance of the proposed schemes with the theoretical limits when considering AWGN channels. Finally, when the channels are parallel slow-fading Rayleigh, the proposed schemes are optimal in terms of distortion exponent.