Fundamental Properties of Sum-Rank Metric Codes

Abstract: This paper investigates the theory of sum-rank metric codes for which the individual matrix blocks may have different sizes. Various bounds on the cardinality of a code are derived, along with their asymptotic extensions. The duality theory of sum-rank metric codes is also explored, showing that MSRD codes (the sum-rank analogue of MDS codes) dualize to MSRD codes only if all matrix blocks have the same number of columns. In the latter case, duality considerations lead to an upper bound on the number of blocks for MSRD codes. The paper also contains various constructions of sum-rank metric codes for variable block sizes, illustrating the possible behaviours of these objects with respect to bounds, existence, and duality properties.