Lattice Classification by Cut-through Coding

Inspired by engineering of high-speed switching with quality of service, this paper introduces a new approach to classify finite lattices by the concept of cut-through coding. An n-ary cut-through code of a finite lattice encodes all lattice elements by distinct n-ary strings of a uniform length such that for all j, the initial j encoding symbols of any two elements x and y determine the initial j encoding symbols of the meet and join of x and y. In terms of lattice congruences, some basic criteria are derived to characterize the n-ary cut-through codability of a finite lattice. N-ary cut-through codability also gives rise to a new classification of lattice varieties and in particular, defines a chain of ideals in the lattice of lattice varieties.