Discrete Mathematics Problems Arising in Sequence Design for Digital Communications

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Kai-Uwe Schmidt (†)
• Subject Area: Mathematics
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 97216278

The study of the correlation properties of sequences began in the 1950s and continues to be of central importance in modern digital transmission systems, including code-division multiple access, multicarrier wireless transmission, radar information processing, and optical time domain reflectometry. The objectives of the research plan are to study particular classical problems in this area for which recent results have opened up new research directions. This includes the design and analysis of sequence sets with mutually low correlation, the merit factor problem, the construction and enumeration of Golay complementary pairs, and the generalised Barker sequence problem. The general scientific approach will be to combine tools and insights from discrete mathematics, digital communications engineering, and computing science. Where appropriate, experimental computation will be used to reveal patterns, identify key examples, improve intuition, and so point the way to new theoretical results.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: Canada
• Host: Professor Dr. Jonathan Jedwab