Analog Mappings for Non-Linear Channels With Applications to Underwater Channels

This paper discusses the application of Analog Joint Source Channel Coding (JSCC) to Non-Linear Channels, including underwater acoustic channels. Different from traditional digital communication systems, which utilize a source code followed by a channel code, Analog JSCC systems perform coding via a single mapping. We will focus on a particular class of analog codes called space filling curves. The underwater acoustic channel is typically non-linear with Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI). We will first study a simplified version assuming no ISI, developing a scheme to adapt space filling curves to this environment, and studying the theoretical limits. Then, we will extend the analysis to the end-to-end acoustic channel (including ISI), discussing the proposed system in this case. Finally, we will present simulation results of the proposed communication system for the simplified (no ISI) and end-to-end channels.