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Ferdinando Zullo

Publications and source records attributed to Ferdinando Zullo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2023

Geometric dual and sum-rank minimal codes

The main purpose of this paper is to further study the structure, parameters and constructions of the recently introduced minimal codes in the sum-rank metric. These objects form a bridge between the classical minimal codes in the Hamming metric, the subject of intense research over the past three decades partly because of their cryptographic properties, and the more recent rank-metric minimal codes. We prove some bounds on their parameters, existence results, and, via a tool that we name geometric dual, we manage to construct minimal codes with few weights. A generalization of the celebrated Ashikhmin-Barg condition is proved and used to ensure minimality of certain constructions.

math.CO↗
arXiv2023

Maximum weight codewords of a linear rank metric code

Let $\mathcal{C}\subseteq \mathbb{F}_{q^m}^n$ be an $\mathbb{F}_{q^m}$-linear non-degenerate rank metric code with dimension $k$. In this paper we investigate the problem of determining the number $M(\mathcal{C})$ of codewords in $\mathcal{C}$ with maximum weight, that is $\min\{m,n\}$, and to characterize those with the maximum and the minimum values of $M(\mathcal{C})$.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2022

Multi-orbit cyclic subspace codes and linear sets

Cyclic subspace codes gained a lot of attention especially because they may be used in random network coding for correction of errors and erasures. Roth, Raviv and Tamo in 2018 established a connection between cyclic subspace codes (with certain parameters) and Sidon spaces. These latter objects were introduced by Bachoc, Serra and Zémor in 2017 in relation with the linear analogue of Vosper's Theorem. This connection allowed Roth, Raviv and Tamo to construct large classes of cyclic subspace codes with one or more orbits. In this paper we will investigate cyclic subspace codes associated to a set of Sidon spaces, that is cyclic subspace codes with more than one orbit. Moreover, we will also use the geometry of linear sets to provide some bounds on the parameters of a cyclic subspace code. Conversely, cyclic subspace codes are used to construct families of linear sets which extend a class of linear sets recently introduced by Napolitano, Santonastaso, Polverino and the author. This yields large classes of linear sets with a special pattern of intersection with the hyperplanes, defining rank metric and Hamming metric codes with only three distinct weights.

math.CO↗
arXiv2022

Divisible linear rank metric codes

A subspace of matrices over $\mathbb{F}_{q^e}^{m\times n}$ can be naturally embedded as a subspace of matrices in $\mathbb{F}_q^{em\times en}$ with the property that the rank of any of its matrix is a multiple of $e$. It is quite natural to ask whether or not all subspaces of matrices with such a property arise from a subspace of matrices over a larger field. In this paper we explore this question, which corresponds to studying divisible codes in the rank metric. We determine some cases for which this question holds true, and describe counterexamples by constructing subspaces with this property which do not arise from a subspace of matrices over a larger field.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2022

Cones from maximum $h$-scattered linear sets and a stability result

This paper mainly focuses on cones whose basis is a maximum $h$-scattered linear set. We start by investigating the intersection sizes of such cones with the hyperplanes. Then we analyze two constructions of point sets with few intersection sizes with the hyperplanes. In particular, the second one extends the construction of translation KM-arcs in projective spaces, having as part at infinity a cone with basis a maximum $h$-scattered linear set. As an instance of the second construction we obtain cylinders with a hyperoval as basis, which we call hypercylinders, for which we are able to provide a stability result. The main motivation for these problems is related to the connections with both Hamming and rank distance codes. Indeed, we are able to construct codes with few weights and to provide a stability result for the codes associated with hypercylinders.

math.CO↗
arXiv2022

On the automorphism groups of Lunardon-Polverino scattered linear sets

Lunardon and Polverino introduced in 2001 a new family of maximum scattered linear sets in $\mathrm{PG}(1,q^n)$ to construct linear minimal Rédei blocking sets. This family has been extended first by Lavrauw, Marino, Trombetti and Polverino in 2015 and then by Sheekey in 2016 in two different contexts (semifields and rank metric codes). These linear sets are called Lunardon-Polverino linear sets and this paper aims to determine their automorphism groups, to solve the equivalence issue among Lunardon-Polverino linear sets and to establish the number of inequivalent linear sets of this family. We then elaborate on this number, providing explicit bounds and determining its asymptotics.

math.CO↗
arXiv2022

Clubs and their applications

Clubs of rank k are well-celebrated objects in finite geometries introduced by Fancsali and Sziklai in 2006. After the connection with a special type of arcs known as KM-arcs, they renewed their interest. This paper aims to study clubs of rank n in PG$(1,q^n)$. We provide a classification result for (n-2)-clubs of rank n, we analyze the $\mathrm{ΓL}(2,q^n)$-equivalence of the known subspaces defining clubs, for some of them the problem is then translated in determining whether or not certain scattered spaces are equivalent. Then we find a polynomial description of the known families of clubs via some linearized polynomials. Then we apply our results to the theory of blocking sets, KM-arcs, polynomials and rank metric codes, obtaining new constructions and classification results.

math.CO↗
arXiv2022

Waring identifiable subspaces over finite fields

Waring's problem, of expressing an integer as the sum of powers, has a very long history going back to the 17th century, and the problem has been studied in many different contexts. In this paper we introduce the notion of a Waring subspace and a Waring identifiable subspace with respect to a projective algebraic variety $\mathcal X$. When $\mathcal X$ is the Veronese variety, these subspaces play a fundamental role in the theory of symmetric tensors and are related to the Waring decomposition and Waring identifiability of symmetric tensors (homogeneous polynomials). We give several constructions and classification results of Waring identifiable subspaces with respect to the Veronese variety in ${\mathbb{P}}^5({\mathbb{F}}_q)$ and in ${\mathbb{P}}^{9}({\mathbb{F}}_q)$, and include some applications to the theory of linear systems of quadrics in ${\mathbb{P}}^3({\mathbb{F}}_q)$.

math.AG↗
arXiv2022

Encoding and Decoding of Several Optimal Rank Metric Codes

This paper presents encoding and decoding algorithms for several families of optimal rank metric codes whose codes are in restricted forms of symmetric, alternating and Hermitian matrices. First, we show the evaluation encoding is the right choice for these codes and then we provide easily reversible encoding methods for each family. Later unique decoding algorithms for the codes are described. The decoding algorithms are interpolation-based and can uniquely correct errors for each code with rank up to $\lfloor(d-1)/2\rfloor$ in polynomial-time, where $d$ is the minimum distance of the code.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2022

Non-minimum tensor rank Gabidulin codes

The tensor rank of some Gabidulin codes of small dimension is investigated. In particular, we determine the tensor rank of any rank metric code equivalent to an $8$-dimensional $\mathbb{F}_q$-linear generalized Gabidulin code in $\mathbb{F}_{q}^{4\times4}$. This shows that such a code is never minimum tensor rank. In this way, we detect the first infinite family of Gabidulin codes which are not minimum tensor rank.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2022

Rank-Metric Codes, Semifields, and the Average Critical Problem

We investigate two fundamental questions intersecting coding theory and combinatorial geometry, with emphasis on their connections. These are the problem of computing the asymptotic density of MRD codes in the rank metric, and the Critical Problem for combinatorial geometries by Crapo and Rota. Using methods from semifield theory, we derive two lower bounds for the density function of full-rank, square MRD codes. The first bound is sharp when the matrix size is a prime number and the underlying field is sufficiently large, while the second bound applies to the binary field. We then take a new look at the Critical Problem for combinatorial geometries, approaching it from a qualitative, often asymptotic, viewpoint. We illustrate the connection between this very classical problem and that of computing the asymptotic density of MRD codes. Finally, we study the asymptotic density of some special families of codes in the rank metric, including the symmetric, alternating and Hermitian ones. In particular, we show that the optimal codes in these three contexts are sparse.

math.CO↗
arXiv2022

Classifications and constructions of minimum size linear sets

This paper aims to study linear sets of minimum size in the projective line, that is $\mathbb{F}_q$-linear sets of rank $k$ in $\mathrm{PG}(1,q^n)$ admitting one point of weight one and having size $q^{k-1}+1$. Examples of these linear sets have been found by Lunardon and the second author (2000) and, more recently, by Jena and Van de Voorde (2021). However, classification results for minimum size linear sets are known only for $k\leq 5$. In this paper we provide classification results for those $L_U$ admitting two points with complementary weights. We construct new examples and also study the related $\mathrm{ΓL}(2,q^n)$-equivalence issue. These results solve an open problem posed by Jena and Van de Voorde. The main tool relies on two results by Bachoc, Serra and Zémor (2017 and 2018) on the linear analogues of Kneser's and Vosper's theorems. We then conclude the paper pointing out a connection between critical pairs and linear sets, obtaining also some classification results for critical pairs.

math.CO↗
arXiv2021

Two pointsets in $\mathrm{PG}(2,q^n)$ and the associated codes

In this paper we consider two pointsets in $\mathrm{PG}(2,q^n)$ arising from a linear set $L$ of rank $n$ contained in a line of $\mathrm{PG}(2,q^n)$: the first one is a linear blocking set of Rédei type, the second one extends the construction of translation KM-arcs. We point out that their intersections pattern with lines is related to the weight distribution of the considered linear set $L$. We then consider the Hamming metric codes associated with both these constructions, for which we can completely describe their weight distributions. By choosing $L$ to be an $\mathbb{F}_q$-linear set with a short weight distribution, then the associated codes have few weights. We conclude the paper by providing a connection between the $Γ\mathrm{L}$-class of $L$ and the number of inequivalent codes we can construct starting from it.

math.CO↗
arXiv2021

The geometry of one-weight codes in the sum-rank metric

We provide a geometric characterization of $k$-dimensional $\mathbb{F}_{q^m}$-linear sum-rank metric codes as tuples of $\mathbb{F}_q$-subspaces of $\mathbb{F}_{q^m}^k$. We then use this characterization to study one-weight codes in the sum-rank metric. This leads us to extend the family of linearized Reed-Solomon codes in order to obtain a doubly-extended version of them. We prove that these codes are still maximum sum-rank distance (MSRD) codes and, when $k=2$, they are one-weight, as in the Hamming-metric case. We then focus on constant rank-profile codes in the sum-rank metric, which are a special family of one weight-codes, and derive constraints on their parameters with the aid of an associated Hamming-metric code. Furthermore, we introduce the $n$-simplex codes in the sum-rank metric, which are obtained as the orbit of a Singer subgroup of $\mathrm{GL}(k,q^m)$. They turn out to be constant rank-profile - and hence one-weight - and generalize the simplex codes in both the Hamming and the rank metric. Finally, we focus on $2$-dimensional one-weight codes, deriving constraints on the parameters of those which are also MSRD, and we find a new construction of one-weight MSRD codes when $q=2$.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2021

Linear maximum rank distance codes of exceptional type

Scattered polynomials of a given index over finite fields are intriguing rare objects with many connections within mathematics. Of particular interest are the exceptional ones, as defined in 2018 by the first author and Zhou, for which partial classification results are known. In this paper we propose a unified algebraic description of $\mathbb{F}_{q^n}$-linear maximum rank distance codes, introducing the notion of exceptional linear maximum rank distance codes of a given index. Such a connection naturally extends the notion of exceptionality for a scattered polynomial in the rank metric framework and provides a generalization of Moore sets in the monomial MRD context. We move towards the classification of exceptional linear MRD codes, by showing that the ones of index zero are generalized Gabidulin codes and proving that in the positive index case the code contains an exceptional scattered polynomial of the same index.

cs.IT↗
arXiv2021

Linear sets on the projective line with complementary weights

Linear sets on the projective line have attracted a lot of attention because of their link with blocking sets, KM-arcs and rank-metric codes. In this paper, we study linear sets having two points of complementary weight, that is with two points for which the sum of their weights equals the rank of the linear set. As a special case, we study those linear sets having exactly two points of weight greater than one, by showing new examples and studying their equivalence issue. Also we determine some linearized polynomials defining the linear sets recently introduced by Jena and Van de Voorde (2021).

math.CO↗
arXiv2021

On the infiniteness of a family of APN functions

APN functions play a fundamental role in cryptography against attacks on block ciphers. Several families of quadratic APN functions have been proposed in the recent years, whose construction relies on the existence of specific families of polynomials. A key question connected with such constructions is to determine whether such APN functions exist for infinitely many dimensions or not. In this paper we consider a family of functions recently introduced by Li et al. in 2021 showing that for any dimension $m\geq 3$ there exists an APN function belonging to such a family. Our main result is proved by a combination of different techniques arising from both algebraic varieties over finite fields connected with linearized permutation rational functions and {partial vector space partitions}, together with investigations on the kernels of linearized polynomials.

math.CO↗