On Fractional Linear Network Coding Solution of Multiple-Unicast Networks

Abstract: It is known that there exists a multiple-unicast network which has a rate $1$ linear network coding solution if and only if the characteristic of the finite field belongs to a given finite or co-finite set of primes. In this paper, we show that for any non-zero positive rational number $\frac{k}{n}$, there exists a multiple-unicast network which has a rate $\frac{k}{n}$ fractional linear network coding solution if and only if the characteristic of the finite field belongs to a given finite or co-finite set of primes.