Network coding, a revolutionary theory for network communication developed by our team at CUHK around 2000, is widely acknowledged as a significant breakthrough in information sciences. Differing from conventional routing techniques, network coding combines incoming data packets into new ones for onward transmission to the subsequent node. This results in communication networks (including computer, wireless, satellite, and underwater networks) and data storage systems that are more efficient, resilient, and secure.

Over the past over two decades, network coding has instigated a paradigm shift in information sciences and beyond. It has matured into a cross-disciplinary research area that bridges the gap between information and communication theory, networking, data security, quantum information, and various mathematical disciplines.

The capacity of network coding to tackle a broad spectrum of challenges in future networks is highly anticipated. Industry frontrunners have been proposing communication standards predicated on network coding across various standard bodies. Leveraging this momentum, we have developed BATS, the world's most efficient network coding algorithm. BATS enables the incorporation of network coding in virtually any contemporary communication device, including data centre servers, cloud storage, network routers, cell phones, PCs and Internet of Things. This sets the stage for the widespread implementation of network coding across a variety of sectors.



We are thrilled that our application for the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One‑plus (RAISe+) Scheme has been recommended for support by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR. To realize the vast potential of network coding, through this project we will promote the adoption of network coding technologies and their practical application in real-world contexts. The project will primarily concentrate on the applications of BATS in three critical domains: cellular networks, smart cities, and data centres.

Cellular Communication ⎼ The concept of integrated access and backhaul (IAB) in 5G technology offers a rapid and cost-effective solution for deploying 5G base stations. Instead of optical fibre, IAB utilizes a wireless multi-hop network to connect a group of base stations. With the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI), we have developed a BATS-enabled 5G IAB prototype, which was showcased at Mobile World Congress, Barcelona (February 2023). Our achievement was recognized with a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva (2023). Additionally, we are working with ASTRI to develop a similar prototype for the next generation communication system of the Hong Kong Police Force.

Smart Cities ⎼ We have established a partnership with a smart lamppost vendor in Mainland China that has successfully deployed smart lampposts worldwide. Our objective is to develop a BATS-enabled wireless multi-hop system over WiFi to replace an existing product utilized for lighting control. Our solution offers significant advantages, including improved cost-effectiveness and enhanced communication bandwidth for a wide range of devices and sensors, such as surveillance cameras, radar systems, and weather sensors.

Data Centre ⎼ The utilization of network coding, in particular BATS, has the potential to greatly enhance the performance of data processing units (DPUs) by enabling efficient and rapid communication with high throughput and minimal latency. In the context of content delivery networks (CDNs), this technology can yield substantial benefits in terms of reduced data storage requirements, communication bandwidth usage, and recovery time in the event of failures. Our strategy involves integrating the BATS technology into the semiconductor architecture of a DPU chip, or creating a BATS accelerator for a DPU in the form of a co-processor. By doing so, we aim to introduce a revolutionary DPU system that significantly diminishes both capital expenditure (related to data storage hardware) and operational expenditure (associated with power consumption, communication bandwidth, and failure recovery time) within the CDN industry.

In addition to undertaking the necessary R&D, we aim to expedite the market introduction of our innovative products by collaborating with industrial partners. This will propel the evolution of communication networks and data storage systems towards enhanced efficiency, reliability, and security.

Prof. Yeung and his RAISe+ team members.

Author: Professor Raymond Yeung, Dapartment of Information Engineering