Index coding for unicast flows in interactive satellite networks

In this paper, we review some recent results on the broadcast packet erasure channel with feedback, and present methods for possible application to the unicast traffic component in interactive satellite networks. Practical algorithms based on these ideas and relying on the index coding paradigm are introduced, showing how tangible performance gains can be attained through simple albeit powerful packet combination strategies. The effectiveness and the potential of the proposed approach are confirmed and discussed by means of some numerical results. Finally an overview is given about challenges that have to be faced for integration of the introduced algorithms into existing interactive satellite standards.