English

Shannon Meets Carnot: Mutual Information Via Thermodynamics

Information Theory 2008-06-20 v1 math.IT

Abstract

In this contribution, the Gaussian channel is represented as an equivalent thermal system allowing to express its input-output mutual information in terms of thermodynamic quantities. This thermodynamic description of the mutual information is based upon a generalization of the 2nd2^{nd} thermodynamic law and provides an alternative proof to the Guo-Shamai-Verd\'{u} theorem, giving an intriguing connection between this remarkable theorem and the most fundamental laws of nature - the laws of thermodynamics.

Cite

@article{arxiv.0806.3133,
  title  = {Shannon Meets Carnot: Mutual Information Via Thermodynamics},
  author = {Ori Shental and Ido Kanter},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0806.3133},
  year   = {2008}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:52:20.880Z