AoE Proposal:Institute of Network Coding

August 25, 2009

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Conventional Transmission Paradigm Conventional Transmission Paradigm

Parcels

Transportation network Cargo shipment

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ParcelsTransportation network

Cargo shipment

Inside the network: Store-and-forward

Conventional Transmission Paradigm Conventional Transmission Paradigm

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Telecommunications inheritedStore-and-forwardStore-and-forward

from the transportation network

Internet

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Information ≠ Parcels, because it can be processed.

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Information ≠ Parcels, because it can be processed.

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Information ≠ Parcels, because it can be processed.

Network Codingbetter than

store-and-forward7

Application example: Space communicationsA

B A

B

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Application example: Space communicationsA

B A

B A

A+B

B

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Application example: Space communicationsA

B A

B A

A+B

B

Same model applies to satellite and wireless communications Prototyped by MIT on the wireless LAN (Wi-Fi, 802.11) 10

NC for Data StorageNC for Data Storage

Disk A Copy A

Disk C Copy C

Copy B Disk B

Copy D Disk D

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Disk A

Disk C

Disk B

Disk D

A single backup disk ABCD

NC for Data StorageNC for Data Storage

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NC for File-sharing (P2P)NC for File-sharing (P2P)

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More applications of NCMore applications of NC

Wireless networks

Internet telephony Internet TVs

Sensor networks

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Performance improvements by NCPerformance improvements by NC

Faster downloads Better reception

Clearer imagesMore privacy 15

Improvements everywhere…

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Special Report in Special Report in Scientific American Scientific American

“Breaking network logjams,” Scientific American, June 2007

“Although this method may sound counterintuitive, network coding, which is still under study, has the potential to dramatically speed up and improve the reliability of all manner of communications systems and may well spark the next revolution in the field.”

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NC is a New ParadigmNC is a New Paradigm

Fundamentally changes the concept of network communication

With NC, a new information superhighway system

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Tremendous impactTremendous impact

Information theory

Computer networks

Switchingtheory

Wireless networks

Channelcoding

ComputerscienceCryptography

IntracellularCommunications

Optimizationtheory

Quantum information

theory

Graphtheory

Game theory Matroid

theory

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Research impact of NCResearch impact of NC

ANNUAL CONFERENCES (2)ANNUAL CONFERENCES (2)

PUBLICATIONSPUBLICATIONS

Books (4)Papers (>1350)(>500 since Oct ‘08)

Journal specialissues (7)

BEST PAPERAWARDS (6)

(2 by AoE members)

BEST PAPERAWARDS (6)

(2 by AoE members)

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WiNC

Research impact of NCResearch impact of NC

COURSES IN TOPUNIVERSITIES

COURSES IN TOPUNIVERSITIES

…

RESEARCH LABSIndustry/DefenseRESEARCH LABSIndustry/Defense

…

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NC in the NewsNC in the News

(2006)

HK Newspapers

(2005)

(2007)

(2008)

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The research team The research team (of 23)(of 23)

5 IEEE Fellows 13 best paper awards 69 US patents

Principal Investigators

Bob Li Raymond Yeung

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Local academic Co-InvestigatorsLocal academic Co-Investigators

Minghua ChenDah-ming Chiu Xiaodan FanSidharth JaggiLap Chi Lau

Jack LeeSoung-Chang LiewJohn LuiChandra Nair

Ping LiAlbert Sung

Guangyue Han

Wai-Ho Mow

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Non-local academic Co-InvestigatorsNon-local academic Co-Investigators

Zhen Zhang

Ning Cai

Yixian Yang

Henry LuJohn Zao

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Yixian Yang

Industrial Co-InvestigatorsIndustrial Co-Investigators

Dr. Philip ChouPrincipal Researcher

Dr. Mingxi FanDirector of Engineering

Dr. Douglas ChanSenior Wireless Systems Engineer

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NC founded at CUHKNC founded at CUHK

2005 IEEE Information Theory Society Paper Award

NC founded at CUHK in late 1990’s.

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Our recent effortsOur recent efforts

Channel coding theory

Computer networks

Cryptography

Switching theory

Network codingModern theory

of communication

“Signal” NC Improved wirelesscommunications

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Why AoE in HK?Why AoE in HK?

Very large research field

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Why AoE in HK?Why AoE in HK?

Very large research field

US/Europe – Research conglomeratesHuge military projects

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Why AoE in HK?Why AoE in HK?

Very large research field

US/Europe – Research conglomeratesHuge military projects

Need critical massInstitute of Network Coding

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Unique strength of this AoEUnique strength of this AoE

Academic Strongest theory

group in the world Wide expert areas

Industry Three technology

giants

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Support a complete knowledge supply chain

Unique advantages of Hong KongUnique advantages of Hong Kong

Numerous researchers visit HK

Telecom industry in Shenzhen (e.g., Huawei, ZTE)

Help China, Mainland and Taiwan, to catch up in NC

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Network Coding

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Cover all existing areas and steer the field

Network Coding

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Host international conferences

Network Coding

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Gain global recognition in researcher training

Network Coding

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Conduct technology consulting for HK, Mainland China, …

Network Coding

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Goals of the AoEGoals of the AoE

Help attract major industrial research labs to HK

Network Coding

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Now is good timingNow is good timing

The Network Coding Research Centre (since 2006, CUHK) in 2006 paves for the AoE.

Jump-started NC research in sister universities.

Held NetCod 2008 on CUHK campus.

Elevated research interest in the region.

Funding > $6M (CRF, NSFC-RGC, industry, others)

Many good PhDs in NC are being produced when job market is bad.

Acting now, we shall be the first Institute of NC.40

DeliverablesDeliverables

TrainTrain

ConferencesConferences

15 PhDs 40 Postdocs

Hong Kong 2013/15 Beijing 2011 Hong Kong 201x

PublicationsPublications

150-300

Institute of Network CodingInstitute of Network Coding

WiNC41

DeliverablesDeliverables

Knowledgetransfer

Knowledgetransfer

Academics Industry

TalksTalks

Seminar series

PrototypesPrototypes

Attract Venture Capital

IncubatorIncubator

Spin-off companies

Institute of Network CodingInstitute of Network Coding

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Application ProjectsApplication Projects

Potential for significantimpact within 5-10 years

Wireless NC (with Qualcomm)

Re-engineering Internet backbone (with Cisco)

Security, reliability for File-sharing

Disk A Copy A

Bandwidth, energyoptimization for

Data storage systems

Pattern discovery for Biological sequences

Next-generationInternet Protocol TV (with BUPT/ZTE)

Scalability forVideo coding

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Interconnecting test-bedsInterconnecting test-bedsMultimedia Network

Wireless PC LAN

Wireless Software Radio LAN

Running in 2 years

Quick evaluation of NC protocols

Perhaps also campus-wide wireless test-bed

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Budget Budget (15 local Co-Is, 8 years)

26.9123.4

53.36

(Mil

lio

n

HK

D)

Total 103.67 M

Salary

General

Equipment

Miscellaneous

Conferences

Budget breakdown

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StaffStaff

4 ResearchAssistantProfessors

4 ResearchAssistantProfessors

•Independent research in NC•Keeps track of the field

4 Visiting ResearchFellows

4 Visiting ResearchFellows

Eminent researchers in related fields

•Widen team members’ exposure•Boost Institute’s image

2 Engineers2 Engineers

•Build systems/prototypes

10 PostdoctoralResearchers10 PostdoctoralResearchers

Supervised by 15 local PIs/Co-Is46

Governance structureGovernance structure

Advisory Board Scientific Advisory Board

Research Committee

Executive Board of Governors

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GovernanceGovernance

Advisory Board Scientific Advisory Board

Research CommitteeExecutive Board of Governors

Fiscal matters

VC, Bursar (CUHK), PC

Science & Engineering matters

Long-term vision Promote visibility

3-5 prominent scholars− Prof. Andrew Yao

Turing award winner

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GovernanceGovernance

Advisory Board Scientific Advisory Board

Research Committee

Executive Board of Governors(Meet annually)

The two PIs

Prof. Bob Li Prof. Raymond Yeung Prof. Vincent ChanMIT

Dr. Nim-Kwan CheungCEO, ASTRI (HK)

3 prominent academic/industry members

Set/review directions Overall budget Ad-hoc committees Endorse reports(annual/progress) 49

GovernanceGovernance

Advisory Board Scientific Advisory Board

Research CommitteeAnnual/quarterly meetings

Executes BoG decisions

Executive Board of Governors(Meet annually)

All PIs/Co-PIs (23)

NC seminar seriesProposes & consolidatesprojects

Routine decisions& operations

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Sustainability scenariosSustainability scenarios

AoE

Mission accomplished •All NC ideas developed and productized

Steady progress•Continuous productization•Fairly self-sustaining

New major breakthroughs•AoE acquires larger scope•E.g. Information Science and Technology•Similar to Institute of Mathematical Sciences (CUHK)

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ConclusionConclusion

Need an AoE to sustain our global leadership.

Bring substantial benefit to Hong Kong

Research, education, industry, economy

Make the Hong Kong success story even bigger.

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Thank youThank you

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