Error-Protected Codes

Abstract

The mathematical theory of Error-Protected Codes is a specialized offshoot of Shannon's Communication Theory and is of practical interest to operational research workers because of the increasing interest in operational research circles in on-line computer control of production systems and, from the standpoint of methodology, as a fascinating example of the compromise necessary in a theory to make it both realistic and useful.

The paper shows how the natural structure of binary signalling alphabets is mapped on to mathematical structures, such as groups and rings, and the typical examples of the mathematical techniques that have been evolved are illustrated.

The limitation of this theory, that it assumes context-free messages, is emphasized by an example of a code, which is made more powerful by consideration of the context of the symbols appearing in a message.

Paper presented at the Operational Research Society National Conference, Shrivenham, 1965.

Paper presented at the Operational Research Society National Conference, Shrivenham, 1965.