arXiv subjects

Vlad-Florin Dragoi

Publications and source records attributed to Vlad-Florin Dragoi.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Tutorial on Weight Structure of Polar Codes

This tutorial introduces the algebraic foundations underlying the weight structure of polar codes. Using a monomial-based polynomial formalism, we explain how polar and Reed-Muller codes can be viewed as decreasing monomial codes, enabling systematic characterization and enumeration of low-weight codewords. Its goal is to provide an accessible introduction to affine automorphisms, orbit-based descriptions of minimum and low-weight codewords, and their role in weight enumeration. Through illustrative examples and high-level overviews of recursive and coset-based techniques, the paper aims to prepare readers for deeper engagement with the recent technical literature on the weight distribution of polar codes.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

A Hybrid Reliability--Weight Framework for Construction of Polar Codes

Polar codes are usually constructed by ranking synthetic bit-channels according to reliability, which guarantees capacity-achieving behavior but can yield poor low-weight spectra at short and moderate lengths. Recent algebraic results express the contribution of individual bit-channels to the multiplicities of minimum and near-minimum weight codewords in closed form. In this work we combine these insights into a mixed (reliability--weight) bit-channel ordering. We define a per-bit cost whose distance term is derived from orbit enumeration of minimum-weight codewords and scaled by a Bhattacharyya-type factor, and show that the resulting mixed construction minimises a truncated SC/ML union-bound surrogate within a class of decreasing monomial codes. We relate the mixed metric to error events in SCL decoding via a pruning/ML decomposition, and prove that mixed designs act as local perturbations of reliability-based constructions whose asymptotic impact vanishes as code-length approaches infinity. Numerical results for short and moderate lengths on BPSK-AWGN, implemented via Gaussian approximation and closed-form weight contributions, illustrate the trade-off between pure reliability-based and mixed constructions in terms of minimum distance, multiplicity, and union-bound approximations. All proofs are deferred to the appendices.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

Algebraic Properties of PAC Codes

We analyze polarization-adjusted convolutional codes using the algebraic representation of polar and Reed-Muller codes. We define a large class of codes, called generalized polynomial polar codes which include PAC codes and Reverse PAC codes. We derive structural properties of generalized polynomial polar codes, such as duality, minimum distance. We also deduce some structural limits in terms of number of minimum weight codewords, and dimension of monomial sub-code.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2026

Generalized Weight Structure of Polar Codes: Selected Template Polynomials

Polar codes can be viewed as decreasing monomial codes, revealing a rich algebraic structure governed by the lower-triangular affine (LTA) group. We develop a general framework to compute the Hamming weight of codewords generated by sums of monomials, express these weights in a canonical dyadic form, and derive closed expressions for key structural templates (disjoint sums, nested blocks, complementary flips) that generate the low and intermediate weight spectrum. Combining these templates with the LTA group action, we obtain explicit multiplicity formulas, yielding a unified algebraic method to characterize and enumerate codewords.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

Towards Weight Distribution-Aware Polar Codes

Polar codes are constructed based on the reliability of sub-channels resulting from the polarization effect. However, this information-theoretic construction approach leads to a poor weight distribution. To address this issue, pre-transformed polar codes, such as CRC-polar codes and PAC codes, have been employed. In this paper, we focus on the structure of polar codes without applying any pre-transformations and explore methods, guided by the weight-contribution partial order, to design polar-like codes with enhanced weight distribution, notably without employing any search or optimization algorithms. Numerical results demonstrate improvement over a range of codes both with and without pre-transformation.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2025

On Weight Enumeration and Structure Characterization of Polar Codes via Group Actions

In this article, we provide a complete characterization of codewords in polar codes with weights less than twice the minimum distance, using the group action of the lower triangular affine (LTA) group. We derive a closed-form formula for the enumeration of such codewords. Furthermore, we introduce an enhanced partial order based on weight contributions, offering refined tools for code design. Our results extend previous work on Type II codewords to a full description of Type I codewords and offer new insights into the algebraic structure underlying decreasing monomial codes, including polar and Reed-Muller codes.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2022

Consecutive k-out-of-n:F Systems Have Unbounded Roots

This article is studying the roots of the reliability polynomials of linear consecutive-\textit{k}-out-of-\textit{n}:\textit{F} systems. We are able to prove that these roots are unbounded in the complex plane, for any fixed $k\ge2$. In the particular case $k=2$, we show that the reliability polynomials have only real roots and highlight the closure of these roots by establishing their explicit formulas. We also point out that in this case, for any fixed \textit{n} the nonzero roots of the reliability polynomial are distinct numbers.

cs.DM↗

arXiv2022

Generalized Inverse Based Decoding

The concept of Generalized Inverse based Decoding (GID) is introduced, as an algebraic framework for the syndrome decoding problem (SDP) and low weight codeword problem (LWP). The framework has ground on two characterizations by generalized inverses (GIs), one for the null space of a matrix and the other for the solution space of a system of linear equations over a finite field. Generic GID solvers are proposed for SDP and LWP. It is shown that information set decoding (ISD) algorithms, such as Prange, Lee-Brickell, Leon, and Stern's algorithms, are particular cases of GID solvers. All of them search GIs or elements of the null space under various specific strategies. However, as the paper shows the ISD variants do not search through the entire space, while our solvers do even when they use just one Gaussian elimination. Apart from these, our GID framework clearly shows how each ISD algorithm, except for Prange's solution, can be used as an SDP or LWP solver. A tight reduction from our problems, viewed as optimization problems, to the MIN-SAT problem is also provided. Experimental results show a very good behavior of the GID solvers. The domain of easy weights can be reached by a very few iterations and even enlarged.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2021

Generalized Convexity Properties and Shape Based Approximation in Networks Reliability

Some properties of generalized convexity for sets and for functions are identified in case of the reliability polynomials of two dual minimal networks. A method of approximating the reliability polynomials of two dual minimal network is developed based on their mutual complementarity properties. The approximating objects are from the class of quadratic spline functions, constructed based both on interpolation conditions and on shape knowledge. It is proved that the approximant objects preserve the shape properties of the exact reliability polynomials. Numerical examples and simulations show the performance of the algorithm, both in terms of low complexity, small error and shape preserving. Possibilities of increasing the accuracy of approximation are discussed.

cs.DM↗

arXiv2021

Bhattacharyya parameter of monomials codes for the Binary Erasure Channel: from pointwise to average reliability

Monomial codes were recently equipped with partial order relations, fact that allowed researchers to discover structural properties and efficient algorithm for constructing polar codes. Here, we refine the existing order relations in the particular case of Binary Erasure Channel. The new order relation takes us closer to the ultimate order relation induced by the pointwise evaluation of the Bhattacharyya parameter of the synthetic channels. The best we can hope for is still a partial order relation. To overcome this issue we appeal to related technique from network theory. Reliability network theory was recently used in the context of polar coding and more generally in connection with decreasing monomial codes. In this article, we investigate how the concept of average reliability is applied for polar codes designed for the binary erasure channel. Instead of minimizing the error probability of the synthetic channels, for a particular value of the erasure parameter p, our codes minimize the average error probability of the synthetic channels. By means of basic network theory results we determine a closed formula for the average reliability of a particular synthetic channel, that recently gain the attention of researchers.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2019

Fast Reliability Ranking of Matchstick Minimal Networks

In this article, we take a closer look at the reliability of large minimal networks constructed by repeated compositions of the simplest possible networks. For a given number of devices $n=2^m$ we define the set of all the possible compositions of series and parallel networks of two devices. We then define several partial orders over this set and study their properties. As far as we know the ranking problem has not been addressed before in this context, and this article establishes the first results in this direction. The usual approach when dealing with reliability of two-terminal networks is to determine existence or non-existence of uniformly most reliable networks. The problem of ranking two-terminal networks is thus more complex, but by restricting our study to the set of compositions we manage to determine and demonstrate the existence of a poset.

cs.DM↗