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Finite-blocklength information theory
Junyuan Gao1,2, Shuao Chen2, Yongpeng Wu2
1Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Fundamental Research
|August 1, 2026
Summary
Finite-blocklength information theory is crucial for next-generation wireless systems like ultra-reliable low latency communication. This review covers advances in source and channel coding, and joint source-channel coding in the non-asymptotic regime.
Area of Science:
- Information Theory
- Wireless Communications
- Coding Theory
Background:
- Traditional wireless communication studies use ideal assumptions (infinite blocklength, vanishing error probability).
- These assumptions do not meet emerging application needs (ultra-reliable low latency communication, ultra-massive machine type communication) requiring short packets and low latency.
- Finite-blocklength information theory is essential for these advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of finite-blocklength information theory.
- To discuss open questions and engineering insights for future wireless systems.
- To cover advances in source coding, channel coding, and joint source-channel coding in the non-asymptotic regime.
Main Methods:
- Review of non-asymptotic achievability bounds, converse bounds, and approximations.
- Analysis of source coding limits (lossless, lossy) in point-to-point and multiterminal settings.
- Discussion of channel coding limits in various wireless channel models (point-to-point, multiple access, massive access).
Main Results:
- Finite-blocklength analysis provides crucial insights for short-packet communication and low latency.
- Joint source and channel coding demonstrates significant performance advantages over separate approaches in the non-asymptotic regime.
- Key ideas behind achievability and converse bounds are presented for engineering applications.
Conclusions:
- Finite-blocklength information theory is vital for designing future wireless communication systems.
- The review highlights the importance of non-asymptotic analysis for practical wireless applications.
- Further research into open questions in this field will drive innovation in wireless technology.
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