A quantum-inspired multiple description coding framework for robust image transmission

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Jayasinghe Mudalige, Udara Thilini Darshika and Samarathunga Liyanage Don, Buddhi Prabhath Samarathunga and Cuenca, Pedro and Fernando, Anil (2026) A quantum-inspired multiple description coding framework for robust image transmission. IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, 7. pp. 2228-2242. ISSN 2644-1330 (https://doi.org/10.1109/OJVT.2026.3711773)

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Abstract

Achieving reliable high-fidelity image transmission over dynamic channels remains a critical challenge in modern communication systems, particularly in vehicular environments with significant noise impairments. In response, this paper proposes a novel quantum multiple description coding (Q-MDC) framework to enhance image transmission robustness and reconstruction quality. The proposed approach partitions the source image at the pixel level into odd and even components to generate two primary descriptions, which are subsequently converted into bitstreams using various source encoding techniques, including JPEG, JPEG2000, HEIF, and uncompressed formats. These bitstreams are optionally channel encoded and encoded into quantum states in the computational basis. A third correlated description is generated using a controlled-NOT operation, embedding inter-description redundancy while maintaining equal bandwidth across all descriptions. Each description is transformed into quantum superposition states using a Hadamard-based encoder and transmitted over independent noisy channels. At the receiver, inverse Hadamard operations restore the computational basis representation. A packet-wise and qubit-wise deterministic recovery mechanism is then employed to reconstruct corrupted descriptions by exploiting inter-description dependencies. The recovered descriptions are measured, followed by channel decoding and source decoding to reconstruct the image. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed Q-MDC framework significantly improves peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index (SSIM), and universal quality index (UQI) compared to classical MDC and channel-coded single-stream transmission schemes, achieving SNR gains of up to 4 dB and 7 dB, respectively. The results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approach for robust multimedia transmission in error-prone wireless environments.

ORCID iDs

Jayasinghe Mudalige, Udara Thilini Darshika ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1332-9786, Samarathunga Liyanage Don, Buddhi Prabhath Samarathunga, Cuenca, Pedro and Fernando, Anil ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2158-2367;
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