Abstract The problem of distributed matrix multiplication with straggler tolerance over finite fields is considered, focusing on field sizes for which previous solutions were not applicable (for instance, the field of two elements). We employ Reed-Muller-type codes for explicitly constructing the desired algorithms and study their parameters by translating the problem into a combinatorial problem involving sums of discrete convex sets. We generalize polynomial codes and matdot codes, discussing the impossibility of the latter being applicable for very small field sizes, while providing optimal solutions for some regimes of parameters in both cases.

The problem of straggler mitigation in distributed matrix multiplication (DMM) is considered for a large number of worker nodes and a fixed small finite field. Polynomial codes and matdot codes are generalized by making use of algebraic function fields (i.e., algebraic functions over an algebraic curve) over a finite field. The construction of optimal solutions is translated to a combinatorial problem on the Weierstrass semigroups of the corresponding algebraic curves. Optimal or almost optimal solutions are provided. These have the same computational complexity per worker as classical polynomial and matdot codes, and their recovery thresholds are almost optimal in the asymptotic regime (growing number of workers and a fixed finite field).

The problem of straggler mitigation in distributed matrix multiplication (DMM) is considered for a large number of worker nodes and a fixed small finite field. Polynomial codes and matdot codes are generalized by making use of algebraic function fields (i.e., algebraic functions over an algebraic curve) over a finite field. The construction of optimal solutions is translated to a combinatorial problem on the Weierstrass semigroups of the corresponding algebraic curves. Optimal or almost optimal solutions are provided. These have the same computational complexity per worker as classical polynomial and matdot codes, and their recovery thresholds are almost optimal in the asymptotic regime (growing number of workers and a fixed finite field).