ACoRN Spring School 2006
Coding, Multiple User Communications and Random Matrix Theory

When: November 13-16, 2006
Where: Adelaide , South Australia
Organised by: Prof. Lars K. Rasmussen, ITR, University of South Australia

Taking advantage of recent efforts in textbook and course preparations by ACoRN researchers, ACoRN is proud to present the second ACoRN Spring School 2006. A broad mix of physical layer technologies and analysis techniques will be presented at a tutorial level intended for postgraduate students and researchers working in related areas. The highly relevant hot-topic research areas covered in the ACoRN Spring School 2006 are:

  • Random matrix theory and its applications in MIMO systems;
  • Low-density parity-check codes;
  • Coordinated multiuser communications;

Scope and Format

The tutorials will be presented by resident and international experts:

The school is based one 1.5-day tutorial course and two 1-day tutorial courses.

School Program

The school program spans four days, commencing at 1.00pm , Monday Nov. 13 with the first part of the tutorial on Random Matrix Theory. The following three days, the program will run from 9.00am to 5.00pm . Sign-in starts at 12.30 Monday and 8.30 Tuesday through Thursday..

Course Title: Random matrix theory and its applications
Lecturer: Merouane Debbah and Laura Cottatellucci
Duration/Date: 1.5 days, November 13-14

Contents:

Random matrix theory and spectral analysis of large dimensional random matrices has proven to be a powerful mathematical tool for the analysis and design of multiuser communication systems and vectior channels. The asymptotic self-averaging properties of random matrices enable insightful descriptions of communication systems in terms of few macroscopic system parameters.

This tutorial on random matrices is designed with the twofold aim of providing basic knowledge on fundamental results of random matrix theory and practical approaches to determine metrics of interest in telecommunication systems by making a substantial use of random matrix theory.

The seminar is structured in three modules:

  • Fundamentals of random matrix theory.
  • Applications of random matrix theory to multiple access networks.
  • Modeling and analysis of fundamental limits of MIMO systems by random matrix theory
Course Title: Low-density parity-check codes
Lecturer: Sarah Johnson
Duration/Date: 1 day, November 15

Contents:

This tutorial aims to give an overview of the principles of LDPC codes, their design and decoding, and prospects for wide-scale deployment in future communication systems. The tutorial serves as a self contained introduction to low-density parity-check codes which are presented without substantial reference to classical coding theory or finite field arithmetic. The material is based on a textbook in preparation by Sarah Johnson and Steve Weller. The tutorial will cover the following five topics:

  1. Introduction error correction using parity-checks, LDPC codes and Tanner graphs
  2. Introduction to message passing decoding, including the bit flipping and sum-product algorithms
  3. Capacity-approaching codes and density evolution
  4. LDPC code design principals: the role of cycles, codewords and pseudo codewords.
  5. Current applications of LDPC codes and implementation issues
View this PDF for more background information about LDPC codes.
Course Title: Coordinated multiuser communications
Lecturer: Alex Grant
Duration/Date: 1 day, November 16
Contents:

The tutorial on coordinated multiuser communications is based on the recently published book of the same title by Christian Schlegel and Alex Grant.

  • 1 Introduction
    • Multiple Access Channels
    • Cooperation
    • Preview
  • 2 Linear Multiple Access
    • Continuous Time Model
    • Discrete Time Model
    • Matrix Representation
    • Principles of Detection
    • Access Strategies
    • Modulation Sequence Design
  • 3 Multiuser Information Theory
    • Probabilistic Channel Model
    • Capacity Region
    • Binary Input Channels
    • Gaussian Channels (including CDMA)
    • Multiple Access Codes
    • Superposition and Layering
    • Feedback
    • Asynchronous Channels
  • 4 Multiuser Detection
    • Optimal Detection
    • Correlation Detection
    • Decorrelation
    • Linear Minimum Mean Squared Error Detection
    • Whitening Filters
  • 5 Implementation of Multiuser Detectors
    • Iterative Filter Implementations
    • Parallel Interference Cancellation
    • Serial Cancellation
    • Gradient Based Methods
    • Tree Search Methods
  • 6 Multiuser Decoding
    • Iterative Decoding
    • Interference Cancellation
    • LMMSE Filtering
    • Variance Transfer Analysis
    • Unequal Rates and Powers

Registration

Participation in this school is open to all to attend.

The early registration deadline is 19 October 2006. Any researcher registering before the early registration deadline will receive an early-registration bonus gift. Registrations after 19 October 2006 may not qualify for the bonus gift. The gift is a copy of the book "Coordinated Multiuser Communications" by C. Schlegel and A. Grant. The tutorial on Coordinated Multiuser Communications is largely based on the material in this book.

The seating capacity of the venue is limited. In case capacity is exceeded, preference will be given to ACoRN/NEWCOM students and researchers.

Registration Fees

Registration includes hand outs from the attended courses, as well as lunch and morning/afternoon tea.

ACoRN/NEWCOM Members

All courses at this school

AUD$300

Others

Per course

AUD$300

All courses at this school

AUD$750

All prices include 10% GST

ACoRN Members : Remember that you may be eligible for a Attendance Grants.

Registration Form

Please register for the school by completing the registration form below and fax it to the ACoRN Network Administrator Christine Thursby at +61 8 8302 3873.

Registrations will be confirmed via email shortly after the registration deadline.

Refund Policy

  • Registration cancellations up to 19 October 2006 : 85% refund
  • Registration cancellations from 19 October 2006 : no refund

Venue

The school will be held in the lecture theatre at the Institute for Telecommunications Research (ITR), University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes campus. The ITR is located in the SPRI building. The University has an A4 map of the campus that shows the SPRI building (W) that you may like to print out.

Accommodation

For hotels where you can get discount bookings, try the links below. Look for hotels in Adelaide or North Adelaide if you want to have a wide selection of cafes/restaurants for breakfast and dinner. If you want to be close to the school venue, look for hotels in Mawson Lakes .

Otherwise, here are some suggestions:

  • Gurney Lodge, North Adelaide (approx. $70-$90 per unit (2-3 people), per night, 20 minutes walk from city centre, 30 minutes bus ride from ITR)
    http://www.gurnylodge.com/
  • Adelaide Backpackers Hostel (approx. $20-$60 per night, 5 minutes walk from city centre, 30 minutes bus ride from ITR)
    http://www.adelaidehostel.com.au/
  • Mawson Lakes Hotel, Mawson Lakes (approx. $130-$150 per room (2 people), per night, 30 minutes bus ride from the city centre, 5 minutes walk from ITR)

Travel Support

For eligible ACoRN members travel support is available through the ACoRN Domestic Conference/Workshop Attendance Grants.

Additional Information

For more information, please contact ACoRN and the administration staff can either answer your query or pass onto someone who can.