RateDistortion (version 1.01)

RateDistortion-package: Routines for Solving Rate-Distortion Problems

Description

An implementation of routines for solving rate-distortion problems. Rate-distortion theory is a field within information theory that examines optimal lossy compression. That is, given that some information must be lost, how can a communication channel be designed that minimizes the cost of communication error? Rate-distortion theory is concerned with the optimal (minimal cost) solution to such tradeoffs. An important tool for solving rate-distortion problems is the Blahut algorithm, developed by Richard Blahut and described in: Blahut, R. E. (1972). Computation of channel capacity and rate-distortion functions. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, IT-18(4), 460-473. This package implements the basic Blahut algorithm, and additionally contains a number of `helper' functions, including a routine for searching for an information channel that minimizes cost subject to a constraint on information rate.

Details

Package:

RateDistortion

Type:

Package

Version:

1.01

Date:

2015-08-08

License:

GPL-2

This package is used by defining an information source and cost function, and searching for optimal (but constrained) channels for communicating values from this source. Constraints can be placed on the maximum allowable information rate or the minimum allowable distortion.

See the documentation for the functions BlahutAlgorithm, FindOptimalChannel, and FindRate for examples.

References

Blahut, R. E. (1972). Computation of channel capacity and rate-distortion functions. IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, IT-18(4), 460-473.