Cross-Layer Modeling for QoS-Driven Multimedia Multicast/Broadcast over Fading Channels in [Advances in Mobile Multimedia]

In this article we propose a cross-layer design model for multimedia multicast/broadcast services to efficiently support the diverse quality of service requirements over mobile wireless networks. Specifically, we aim at achieving high system throughput for multimedia multicast/broadcast while satisfying QoS requirements from different protocol layers. First, at the physical layer, we propose a dynamic rate adaptation scheme to optimize the average throughput subject to the loss rate QoS constraint specified from the upper-layer protocol users. We investigate scenarios with either independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) or non-i.i.d. fading channels connecting to different multicast receivers. Then, applying the effective capacity theory at the data link layer, we study the impact of the delay QoS requirement (i.e., QoS exponent) on the multimedia data rate of mobile multicast/broadcast that our proposed scheme can support. Also presented are simulation results which show the trade-off among different QoS metrics and the performance superiority of our proposed scheme as compared to the other existing schemes.     

End-to-End QoS for Video Delivery Over Wireless Internet

Providing end-to-end quality of service (QoS) support is essential for video delivery over the next-generation wireless Internet. We address several key elements in the end-to-end QoS support, including scalable video representation, network-aware end system, and network QoS provisioning. There are generally two approaches in QoS support: the network-centric and the end-system centric solutions. The fundamental problem in a network-centric solution is how to map QoS criterion at different layers respectively, and optimize total quality across these layers. We first present the general framework of a cross-layer network-centric solution, and then describe the recent advances in network modeling, QoS mapping, and QoS adaptation. The key targets in end-system centric approach are network adaptation and media adaptation. We present a general framework of the end-system centric solution and investigate the recent developments. Specifically, for network adaptation, we review the available bandwidth estimation and efficient video transport protocol; for media adaptation , we describe the advances in error control, power control, and corresponding bit allocation. Finally, we highlight several advanced research directions.     

A cross-Layer quality-of-service mapping architecture for video delivery in wireless networks

Providing quality-of-service (QoS) to video delivery in wireless networks has attracted intensive research over the years. A fundamental problem in this area is how to map QoS criterion at different layers and optimize QoS across the layers. In this paper, we investigate this problem and present a cross-layer mapping architecture for video transmission in wireless networks. There are several important building blocks in this architecture, among others, QoS interaction between video coding and transmission modules, QoS mapping mechanism, video quality adaptation, and source rate constraint derivation. We describe the design and algorithms for each building block, which either builds upon or extend the state-of-the-art algorithms that were developed without much considerations of other layers. Finally, we use simulation results to demonstrate the performance of the proposed architecture for progressive fine granularity scalability video transmission over time-varying and nonstationary wireless channel.     

A unified framework for distributed video rate allocation over wireless networks

When multiple video streams share a wireless network, careful rate allocation is needed to prevent congestion, as well as to balance the video qualities among the competing streams. In this paper, we present a unified optimization framework for video rate allocation over wireless networks. Our framework applies to both unicast and multicast sessions, and accommodates both scalable and non-scalable streams. The optimization objective is to minimize the total distortion of all video streams without incurring excessive network utilization. Our system model explicitly accounts for heterogeneity in wireless link capacities, traffic contention among neighboring links, as well as different video rate-distortion (RD) characteristics. The proposed distributed media-aware rate allocation scheme leverages cross-layer information exchange between the MAC and application layers to achieve fast convergence at the optimal allocation.We evaluate performance of the proposed scheme for streaming of high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) video sequences over 802.11-based wireless networks, both in unicast and multicast scenarios. The scheme consistently outperforms conventional TCP-Friendly Rate Control (TFRC) in terms of overall video quality, and achieves more balanced qualities among the streams.     

A rate adaptation algorithm for multicast sources in priority-based IP networks

This article presents a new rate adaptation algorithm for multicast sources that operate in priority-based IP networks. The algorithm represents the flow control component of our work on an architecture for video multicasting in priority-based IP networks. We show (through simulation results) that the algorithm meets our design goal of satisfying the quality of service (QoS) requirements of different video multicast receivers which have different networking capabilities.     

A resource‐tuned QoS multicast routing protocol

This paper presents a novel framework for quality‐of‐service (QoS) multicast routing with resource allocation that represents QoS parameters, jitter delay, and reliability, as functions of adjustable network resources, bandwidth, and buffer, rather than static metrics. The particular functional form of QoS parameters depends on rate‐based service disciplines used in the routers. This allows intelligent tuning of QoS parameters as functions of allocated resources during the multicast tree search process, rather than decoupling the tree search from resource allocation. The proposed framework minimizes the network resource utilization while keeping jitter delay, reliability, and bandwidth bounded. This definition makes the proposed QoS multicast routing with resource allocation problem more general than the classical minimum Steiner tree problem. As an application of our general framework, we formulate the QoS multicast routing with resource allocation problem for a network consisting of generalized processor sharing nodes as a mixed‐integer quadratic program and find the optimal multicast tree with allocated resources to satisfy the QoS constraints. We then present a polynomial‐time greedy heuristic for the QoS multicast routing with resource allocation problem and compare its performance with the optimal solution of the mixed‐integer quadratic program. The simulation results reveal that the proposed heuristic finds near‐optimal QoS multicast trees along with important insights into the interdependency of QoS parameters and resources.     

Cross-Layer Optimized Rate Adaptation and Scheduling for Multiple-User Wireless Video Streaming

We present a cross-layer optimized video rate adaptation and user scheduling scheme for multi-user wireless video streaming aiming for maximum quality of service (QoS) for each user,, maximum system video throughput, and QoS fairness among users. These objectives are jointly optimized using a multi-objective optimization (MOO) framework that aims to serve the user with the least remaining playback time, highest delivered video seconds per transmission slot and maximum video quality. Experiments with the IS-856 (1timesEV-DO) standard numerology and ITU pedestrian A and vehicular B environments show significant improvements over the state-of- the-art wireless schedulers in terms of user QoS, QoS fairness, and the system throughput.     

Scalable Video Multicast Over Multi-Antenna OFDM Systems

We propose a framework for efficient scalable video multicast over downlink orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems with multiple transmit antennas. In conventional video multicast systems, the achievable transmission rate is determined by the user with the worst channel condition, and the system saturates the capacity when the number of users increases. To accommodate the heterogeneous channel conditions and device capabilities of various users, scalable video coding (SVC) encodes video streams into base and enhancement layers. We exploit the advances in multi-antenna OFDM and the layered nature of SVC, and propose a framework for scalable video multicast which guarantees the base layer quality for all users while making best use of limited resource for the enhancement layer of users with good channel conditions. We show that the resource allocation that includes the transmit precoding, subcarrier allocation, and bit and power allocation is a very difficult optimization problem. A low-complexity suboptimal algorithm is proposed which is suitable for practical implementations. Simulation results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed solution.     

Cross-Layer QoS Scheduling for Layered Multicast Streaming in OFDMA Wireless Networks

The conventional multicast scheme of wireless networks, though establishing a bandwidth-saving means for point-to-multipoint transmission, is very conservative by limiting the throughput of short-range communications. The multicast performance can be significantly improved if some low-rate users are pruned. In this paper, we investigate the subchannel assignment mechanism of multicast streaming services in the emerging WiMax/802.16e systems, where each multimedia stream is composed of a basic layer and an enhancement layer. The former affords a low-resolution video image to all the subscribers, while the latter only serves those with preferable channel states. Optimization frameworks are formulated to characterize the QoS requirements of multicast flows: pruned proportional rate ratio (PPRR), pruned stream rate guarantee (PSRG) and pruned user proportional fairness (PUPF). Three cross-layer algorithms are presented to perform channel assignment for different QoS requirements. Analytical study shows that the proposed algorithms have polynomial-time computational complexity. Numerical experiments validate that our proposals significantly outperform the conventional peer schedulers in terms of system throughput.     

Optimal partition of QoS requirements on unicast paths andmulticast trees

We investigate the problem of optimal resource allocation for end-to-end QoS requirements on unicast paths and multicast trees. Specifically, we consider a framework in which resource allocation is based on local QoS requirements at each network link, and associated with each link is a cost function that increases with the severity of the QoS requirement. Accordingly, the problem that we address is how to partition an end-to-end QoS requirement into local requirements, such that the overall cost is minimized. We establish efficient (polynomial) solutions for both unicast and multicast connections. These results provide the required foundations for the corresponding QoS routing schemes, which identify either paths or trees that lead to minimal overall cost. In addition, we show that our framework provides better tools for coping with other fundamental multicast problems, such as dynamic tree maintenance     

Toward an improvement of H.264 video transmission over IEEE 802.11e through a cross-layer architecture

The recently developed H.264 video standard achieves efficient encoding over a bandwidth ranging from a few kilobits per second to several megabits per second. Hence, transporting H.264 video is expected to be an important component of many wireless multimedia services, such as video conferencing, real-time network gaming, and TV broadcasting. However, due to wireless channel characteristics and lack of QoS support, the basic 802.11-based channel access procedure is merely sufficient to deliver non-real-time traffic. The delivery should be augmented by appropriate mechanisms to better consider different QoS requirements and ultimately adjust the medium access parameters to the video data content characteristics. In this article we address H.264 wireless video transmission over IEEE 802.11 WLAN by proposing a robust cross-layer architecture that leverages the inherent H.264 error resilience tools (i.e., data partitioning); and the existing QoS-based IEEE 802.11e MAC protocol possibilities. The performances of the proposed architecture are extensively investigated by simulations. Results obtained indicate that compared to 802.11 and 802.11e, our cross-layer architecture allows graceful video degradation while minimizing the mean packet loss and end-to-end delays.     

Adaptive cross-layer protection strategies for robust scalable video transmission over 802.11 WLANs

Robust streaming of video over 802.11 wireless local area networks poses many challenges, including coping with bandwidth variations, data losses, and heterogeneity of the receivers. Currently, each network layer (including physical layer, media access control (MAC), transport, and application layers) provides a separate solution to these challenges by providing its own optimized adaptation and protection mechanisms. However, this layered strategy does not always result in an optimal overall performance for the transmission of video. Moreover, certain protection strategies can be implemented simultaneously in several layers and, hence, the optimal choices from the application and complexity perspective need to be identified. In this paper, we evaluate different error control and adaptation mechanisms available in the different layers for robust transmission of video, namely MAC retransmission strategy, application-layer forward error correction, bandwidth-adaptive compression using scalable coding, and adaptive packetization strategies. Subsequently, we propose a novel adaptive cross-layer protection strategy for enhancing the robustness and efficiency of scalable video transmission by performing tradeoffs between throughput, reliability, and delay depending on the channel conditions and application requirements. The results obtained using the proposed adaptive cross-layer protection strategies show a significantly improved visual performance for the transmitted video over a variety of channel conditions.     

Power minimization for delivering integrated multimedia servicesover digital subscriber line

We study the problem of designing an efficient resource allocation scheme in the application of providing integrated multimedia services over a digital subscriber line. For a predefined quality of service (QoS) requirement and data throughput, we show that the transmitted power consumption can be reduced by applying the parallel transmission framework previously proposed. Data streams are recognized as a set of layers with different data rate and bit error rate requirements. The characteristics of the telephone channel can be utilized to provide unequal error protection naturally and thus efficiently. Simulation results provide comparison of the proposed parallel transmission framework to the existing schemes designed for general data, and demonstrate significant performance improvement, such as a 0.5-2 dB power gain     

基于QoS保证的多用户OFDM系统跨层资源分配

针对正交频分复用(OFDM)系统资源分配和调度问题,提出一种基于第三代移动通信长期演进(LTE)系统的分块跨层资源分配算法。此算法考虑物理层的信道状态信息、媒体接入层(MAC)的有限用户缓存队列长度、用户的丢失率和时延等QoS要求,以提高系统频谱效率为总体目标。通过从实时视频业务和混合业务两种业务类型下进行大量对比分析,得出提出的算法能有效提高系统的频谱效率和降低系统时延。     

Quality-driven cross-layer optimized video delivery over LTE

3GPP Long Term Evolution is one of the major steps in mobile communication to enhance the user experience for next-generation mobile broadband networks. In LTE, orthogonal frequency- division multiple access is adopted in the downlink of its E-UTRA air interface. Although cross-layer techniques have been widely adopted in literature for dynamic resource allocation to maximize data rate in OFDMA wireless networks, application-oriented quality of service for video delivery, such as delay constraint and video distortion, have been largely ignored. However, for wireless video delivery in LTE, especially delay-bounded real-time video streaming, higher data rate could lead to higher packet loss rate, thus degrading the user-perceived video quality. In this article we present a new QoS-aware LTE OFDMA scheduling algorithm for wireless real-time video delivery over the downlink of LTE cellular networks to achieve the best user-perceived video quality under the given application delay constraint. In the proposed approach, system throughput, application QoS constraints, and scheduling fairness are jointly integrated into a cross-layer design framework to dynamically perform radio resource allocation for multiple users, and to effectively choose the optimal system parameters such as modulation and coding scheme and video encoding parameters to adapt to the varying channel quality of each resource block. Experimental results have shown significant performance enhancement of the proposed system.     

Cross-layer resource allocation for real-time services in OFDM-based cognitive radio systems

The resource allocation problem on the downlink of a multiuser OFDM-based cognitive radio (CR) system is formulated using a cross-layer (MAC and PHY layers) approach with the aim of satisfying quality of service (QoS) requirements in real-time applications. The number of subchannels available to the CR system is time-varying as a result of the stochastic nature of the activities of the primary users (PUs). The MAC layer QoS requirements are dynamically converted to PHY layer rate requirements; the conversion depends on the delivery status of queued packets as well as the number of available subchannels. Simulation results show that the proposed cross-layer resource allocation algorithm can provide substantial transmit power reductions compared to existing PHY layer and MAC layer solutions designed for multiuser OFDM systems.     

Resource Allocation with Limited Feedback and Joint Coding Scheme for Wireless Multi-antenna Multicast System

In conventional multicast scheme (CMS), the total throughput of multicast group is constrained by the user with the worst channel quality. In order to overcome this problem of limited throughput, we introduce a resource allocation algorithm by exploiting layered coding combined with erasure correction coding for multicast services in the downlink of OFDMA-based multi-antenna system. To reduce the feedback overhead of uplink, we design a novel transmission scheme with limited feedback. Then, we formulate the joint subcarrier and power allocation problem for the data of base layer and enhancement layers, which is shown to be NP hard. Hence, in order to reduce the computational complexity, we propose a three-phase suboptimal algorithm. The algorithm is designed to maximize the system throughput while at the same time guarantee the quality of services (QoS) requirements of all multicast groups. It is composed of precoding scheme, proportional fairness subcarrier allocation algorithm and modified water-filling power allocation algorithm with QoS guarantees (MWF-Q). To further decrease the complexity of MWF-Q, a power allocation algorithm with increased fixed power allocation algorithm with QoS guarantees is introduced. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms based on limited feedback scheme significantly outperform CMS and any other existing algorithm with full feedback. Moreover, the proposed scheme can efficiently reduce 50 % of the full feedback overhead.     

Network-Adaptive Rate Control and Unequal Loss Protection with TCP-Friendly Protocol for Scalable Video Over Internet

Video communication with Quality of Service (QoS) is an important and challenging task. To have QoS provision at application level in the current best-effort Internet, rate control, congestion control and error control are several effective approaches. In this paper, we propose a new network-adaptive rate control and Unequal Loss Protection (ULP) scheme in conjunction with TCP-friendly congestion control for scalable video streaming. Our proposed approach is capable of simultaneously controlling congestion and packet loss occurred across the Internet. More specifically, we first dynamically estimate the available network bandwidth on the fly. Then, TCP-friendly congestion control is performed to smoothly adjust the sending rate for transmission of continuous media. Considering the characteristic of scalable video, unequal loss protection at packet level is adopted for different video layers while performing congestion control. Consequently, a fixed-length and priority-based packetization scheme is introduced to enhance the capability of loss protection and improve the efficiency of network-bandwidth utilization. Moreover, Rate-Distortion (R-D) based bit allocation is proposed to minimize the expected end-to-end distortion. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed scheme.     

认知无线多跳网中结合QoS查找的跨层多信道MAC协议

针对认知无线多跳网中频谱资源具有较大时变性及差异性的问题,设计了一种结合QoS查找的跨层多信道MAC协议。该协议将按需QoS查找与动态频谱分配跨层相结合,仅让参与传输的节点执行频谱分配并按QoS要求获取频谱资源。此外,协议使用频分双工收发机实现了对公共控制信道的不间断监听,并设计了一套支持不同数量收发机节点间混合通信的接入算法。大量仿真结果表明,该协议能有效保证对端到端传输的QoS要求的满足,并显著提高端到端吞吐量及时延。     

Low-complexity video coding for receiver-driven layered multicast

The “Internet Multicast Backbone,” or MBone, has risen from a small, research curiosity to a large-scale and widely used communications infrastructure. A driving force behind this growth was the development of multipoint audio, video, and shared whiteboard conferencing applications. Because these real-time media are transmitted at a uniform rate to all of the receivers in the network, a source must either run at the bottleneck rate or overload portions of its multicast distribution tree. We overcome this limitation by moving the burden of rate adaptation from the source to the receivers with a scheme we call receiver-driven layered multicast, or RLM. In RLM, a source distributes a hierarchical signal by striping the different layers across multiple multicast groups, and receivers adjust their reception rate by simply joining and leaving multicast groups. We describe a layered video compression algorithm which, when combined with RLM, provides a comprehensive solution for scalable multicast video transmission in heterogeneous networks. In addition to a layered representation, our coder has low complexity (admitting an efficient software implementation) and high loss resilience (admitting robust operation in loosely controlled environments like the Internet). Even with these constraints, our hybrid DCT/wavelet-based coder exhibits good compression performance. It outperforms all publicly available Internet video codecs while maintaining comparable run-time performance. We have implemented our coder in a “real” application-the UCB/LBL videoconferencing tool vic. Unlike previous work on layered video compression and transmission, we have built a fully operational system that is currently being deployed on a very large scale over the MBone