Title: Robust source-adaptive real-time video transport over wireless multihop networks

Authors: Qi Qu, Yong Pei, Xusheng Tian, James W. Modestino

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. ' Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA. ' Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124, USA

Abstract: Packet video transport, including streaming, over wireless networks is expected to experience substantial performance variations. But, in wireless networks, channel state information is hard to be obtained reliably/timely. However, the source information is always available and can be obtained accurately. In this paper, we propose, instead, the use of source information alone to implement an Unequal Error Protection (UEP) approach based on adaptation to inter-frame motion. To implement our Forward Error Correction (FEC)/UEP approach, a novel cross-layer packetisation scheme is proposed. Based on Exponential Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) estimation for the motion-level information associated with video frames, a source-adaptive intra-updating rate selection is described to provide error-resilience. To combat severe bursty losses, a novel intraframe packet interleaving scheme is implemented at the applicationlayer. Our objective and subjective results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in dealing with the bursty packet losses occurring on wireless networks.

Keywords: video transport; video streaming; intra-updating; UEP/FEC; motion level; H.264; RTP/UDP/IP; burst packet loss; intra-frame interleaving; media streaming; wireless networks; multihop networks; source information; unequal error protection; forward error correction; EWMA estimation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWMC.2007.014450

International Journal of Wireless and Mobile Computing, 2007 Vol.2 No.2/3, pp.97 - 108

Published online: 09 Jul 2007 *

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