This research takes a multiuser information theoretic approach to investigate innate theoretical connections that exist between multiuser source and channel coding, information theoretic network security, and combinatorial tree packing algorithms in theoretical computer science. It is of compelling interest to the theory as well as the engineering practice of network source and channel coding, and network security, in emerging wireless technologies. Addressing broad classes of network source and channel models with correlation and cooperation, the investigators study explicit and precise characterizations of basic structural connections between multiuser data compression, channel coding, network security and combinatorial tree packing, and the underlying role of common randomness (i.e., coordinated randomization). The research develops information theoretic principles for associated signal processing algorithms. It applies source coding and channel coding techniques for providing information theoretic network secrecy in encrypted communication, and investigates points of contact between combinatorial tree packing algorithms and network security.
