Heuristic Introduction to the Discrete Memoryless Channel

Abstract

The spirit of the problems discussed in the present monograph can already be gleaned from a consideration of the discrete memoryless channel, to a heuristic discussion of which the present chapter is devoted. In this discussion there will occur terms not yet precisely defined, to which the reader should give their colloquial meaning. This procedure is compatible with the purpose of the present chapter, which is to motivate the problems to be discussed later in the book, and not to carry forward the theory logically. The reader scornful of such un-mathematical behavior or in no need of motivation may proceed at once to Chapter 2 without any loss of logical continuity. Such definitions as are given in the present chapter will be repeated later.