Error resilient video transmission over ATM networks

In the transmission process of a variable bit rate video signal over an ATM network, cells are inevitably exposed to delays and losses due to the statistical multiplexing used in these networks. These phenomena affect the quality of the video signal, and without adequate measures to control the propagation of impairments, the quality of service may fall below acceptable levels. We introduce a set of control mechanisms at different levels of the protocol architecture to support MPEG-2 based video communications systems using ATM networks as their underlying transmission mechanism. We argue that in order to be able to create video systems able to cope with cell losses encountered in computer communications systems, a structured set of protocol mechanisms is required. Our results show the effectiveness of the proposed set of mechanisms in improving the robustness of the video delivery system     

A novel blind robust image watermarking in DCT domain using inter-block coefficient correlation

This paper presents a novel blind watermarking algorithm in DCT domain using the correlation between two DCT coefficients of adjacent blocks in the same position. One DCT coefficient of each block is modified to bring the difference from the adjacent block coefficient in a specified range. The value used to modify the coefficient is obtained by finding difference between DC and median of a few low frequency AC coefficients and the result is normalized by DC coefficient. The proposed watermarking algorithm is tested for different attacks. It shows very good robustness under JPEG image compression as compared to existing one and also good quality of watermark is extracted by performing other common image processing operations like cropping, rotation, brightening, sharpening, contrast enhancement etc.     

On the use of frame-based slice size for the robust transmission ofMPEG video over ATM networks

We study the performance requirements for the transport of MPEG video streams over ATM networks. A control scheme is introduced to limit the propagation of impairments through MPEG-based video sequences as a result of cell losses. The scheme assigns different slice sizes to the video frames based on their type and order of appearance within the group of pictures. The main aim of the proposed scheme is to improve the robustness of the video delivery process at a minimum cost. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of this scheme in reducing the propagation of impairments due to the loss of information during the transmission of MPEG video streams over ATM networks     

Cell domain interleaving method for wireless ATM links

An interleaving technique of distributing the ATM header bits within a single cell is proposed for reducing the cell loss rate (CLR) in wireless ATM links. The proposed interleaving, being free of any extra overhead, operates with a processing delay of only 40 bits and offers seamless convergence with various BISDN physical layer protocols. Computer simulations demonstrate substantial improvement in CLR due to burst errors     

A novel methodology for robust VBR video transmission in an ATM system

A dynamic FEC (DFEC) scheme for VBR video in ATM networks is proposed. The scheme combines the design of source encoder, error control, and the network. In the design, we will develop a methodology to vary FEC redundancy dynamically. The methodology considers the fluctuations in video source and network utilisation to adjust the FEC redundancy levels. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme by examining its performance with three existing schemes in terms of loss rates, throughput, and quality degradation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliable transmission of high-quality video over ATM networks

The development of broadband networks has led to the possibility of a wide variety of new and improved service offerings. Packetized video is likely to be one of the most significant high-bandwidth users of such networks. The transmission of variable bit-rate (VBR) video offers the potential promise of constant video quality but is generally accompanied by packet loss which significantly diminishes this potential. We study a class of error recovery schemes employing forward error-control (FEC) coding to recover from such losses. In particular, we show that a hybrid error recovery strategy involving the use of active FEC in tandem with simple passive error concealment schemes offers very robust performance even under high packet losses. We discuss two different methods of applying FEC to alleviate the problem of packet loss. The conventional method of applying FEC generally allocates additional bandwidth for channel coding while maintaining a specified average video coding rate. Such an approach suffers performance degradations at high loads since the bandwidth expansion associated with the use of FEC creates additional congestion that negates the potential benefit in using FEC. In contrast, we study a more efficient FEC application technique in our hybrid approach, which allocates bandwidth for channel coding by throttling the source coder rate (i.e., performing higher compression) while maintaining a fixed overall transmission rate. More specifically, we consider the performance of the hybrid approach where the bandwidth to accommodate the FEC overhead is made available by throttling the source coder rate sufficiently so that the overall rate after application of FEC is identical to that of the original unprotected system. We obtain the operational rate-distortion characteristics of such a scheme employing selected FEC codes. In doing so, we demonstrate the robust performance achieved by appropriate use of FEC under moderate-to-high packet losses in comparison to the unprotected system.     

SVC-based multisource streaming for robust video transmission in mobile ad hoc networks

Emerging noninfrastructure-based network types like mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) are becoming suitable platforms for exchanging/sharing real-time video streams, because of recent progress in routing algorithms, throughput and transmission bit-rate. MANETs are characterized by highly dynamic behavior of the transmission routes and path outage probabilities. In this article a multisource streaming approach is presented to increase the robustness of real-time video transmission in MANETs. For that, video coding as well as channel coding techniques on the application layer are introduced, exploiting the multisource representation of the transferred media. Source coding is based on the scalable video coding (SVC) extension of H.264/MPEG4-AVC with different layers for assigning importance for transmission. Channel coding is based on a novel unequal packet loss protection (UPLP) scheme, which is based on Raptor forward error correction (FEC) codes. While in the presented approach, the reception of a single stream guarantees base quality only, the combined reception enables playback of video at full quality and/or lower error rates. Furthermore, an application layer protocol is introduced for supporting peer-to-peer based multisource streaming in MANETs     

Content-based resynchronization for robust video transmission

Recent advances in technology have resulted in a significant growth in wireless communications, which have resulted in a strong demand for reliable transmission of video data. The challenge of robust video transmission is to protect the compressed data against hostile channel conditions while bringing little impact on bandwidth efficiency. Here, using macroblock (MB)-based segmentation results, we propose a framework for the positioning of resynchronization markers such that the image quality of foreground can be improved at the expense of sacrificing the unimportant background. Experimental results demonstrate that this scheme significantly improves the subjective quality of video sequence for robust video transmission.     

Fast code-rate optimization for robust image transmission over lossy packet networks

In this paper, we propose an efficient method for the allocation of Reed-Solomon codes to source symbols, for unequal loss protection. The proposed formulation recasts the multivariate optimization problem into a univariate one, dramatically reducing the computational complexity. Results are shown for image transmission over lossy packet networks, employing the JPEG2000 and SPIHT encoders. The proposed algorithm exhibits performance equivalent to previous methods, while providing a significant complexity reduction.     

Interleaving schemes for ATM multiplexing of MPEG video sources

The authors analyse the performance of two interleaving schemes, called frame-oriented and cell-oriented, for statistical multiplexing of MPEG video sources. Simulations using two long MPEG sequences show that there is a trade-off in cell loss probability and delay jitter when selecting the interleaving scheme     

Cooperative congestion control schemes in ATM networks

One of the basic problems faced in the design of efficient traffic and congestion control schemes is related to the wide variety of services with different traffic characteristics and quality of service (QoS) requirements supported by ATM networks. The authors propose a new way of organizing the control system so that complexity is easier to manage. The multi-agent system approach, which provides the use of adaptative and intelligent agents, is investigated. The authors show, through the two congestion control schemes proposed, how to take advantage of using intelligent agents to increase the efficiency of the control scheme. First, TRAC (threshold based algorithm for control) is proposed, which is based on the use of fixed thresholds which enables the anticipation of congestion. This mechanism is compared with the push-out algorithm and it is shown that the authors' proposal improves the network performance. Also discussed is the necessity of taking into account the network dynamics. In TRAC, adaptative agents with learning capabilities are used to tune the values of the thresholds according to the status of the system. However, in this scheme, when congestion occurs, the actions we perform are independent of the nature of the traffic. Subsequently, we propose PATRAC (predictive agents in a threshold based algorithm for control) in which different actions are achieved according to the QoS requirements and to the prediction of traffic made by the agents. Specifically, re-routing is performed when congestion is heavy or is expected to be heavy and the traffic is cell loss sensitive. This re-routing has to deflect the traffic away from the congestion point. In this scheme, we propose a cooperative and predictive control scheme provided by a multi-agent system that is built in to each node     

The distributed robust traffic controller for ATM networks

We propose an approach to design a distributed rate‐based traffic controller to flow‐regulate the best‐effort service (e.g. ABR) traffic and guaranteed service traffic through an ATM switch. The controller is distributed among the source nodes and has a very simple structure. Its local controller at each source node is open‐loop stable and only requires the knowledge of the buffer occupancy at the bottleneck switch. We show that this controller is fair and is not sensitive to the change of VCs over time. It does not have oscillation and can achieve a high utilization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bandwidth renegotiation for VBR video over ATM networks

A scheme for delivery or variable bit-rate (VBR) video over asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks where bandwidth can be renegotiated during the duration of a call between the video source and the network is considered. Renegotiation can be initiated by either the video source or the network. The video bandwidth requirement is characterized by a usage parameter control (UPC) consisting, in general, of peak rate, burst length, and sustained rate. A baseline design is outlined where rate-control adjusts the source's rate while a new UPC is requested from the network. When granted, the new UPC allows the source to maintain its target quantization and delay requirements. Rate control epochs may be extended when the network blocks UPC requests or sets a lower UPC value to temporally deal with congestion. Simulation results are presented for VBR MPEG video. The results show that with a moderate renegotiation rate the scheme tracks the bandwidth requirements of the source. As a result, the video quality and bandwidth efficiency can be maintained     

Quality control for VBR video over ATM networks

Uncontrolled variable-bit-rate (VBR) coded video yields consistent picture quality, but the traffic stream is very bursty. When sent over ATM networks, cell losses may be incurred due to limited buffer capacity at the switches; this could cause severe picture quality degradation. Source rate control can be implemented to generate a controlled VBR bit stream which conforms to specified bit rate bounds and buffer constraints. However, source rate control could result in picture quality degradation too. Hence, for real-time video services, an important issue to address is whether the picture quality degradation incurred by source rate control is within acceptable levels or how to choose the appropriate coding parameters to make it so. We establish quantitatively the relationship between picture quality and source rate control for the case of guaranteed service with different combinations of allocated bandwidth, buffer size, and other key video-coding parameters of MPEG-2. In addition, quality control in the context of two-layered scalable video service (basic and enhanced quality) is also considered. Our study reveals that, in order to maximize both the basic and the enhanced quality, source rate control should be implemented on both layers. The relationships between the two types of quality and different combinations of allocated bandwidths, buffer sizes, and some key coding parameters are also established quantitatively for MPEG-2 SNR scalability     

Effective multi-stage error control algorithms for robust 3D video transmission over wireless networks

Wireless Networks - The Three-Dimensional Video (3DV) contains diverse video streams taken by different cameras around an object. Thence, it is an imperative assignment to fulfill efficient...     

Polling- and contention-based schemes for TDMA-TDD access towireless ATM networks

The design of an efficient MAC protocol is of paramount interest for the definition of a wireless ATM (WATM) access. In the case of TDMA-TDD WATM access, the current trend in the standardization bodies is to adopt frames of fixed duration, whose slots are shared among uplink and downlink connections under the control of a MAC scheduler located in the base station. In this paper, we first compare polling and contention techniques, in order to identify the best access scheme to serve ATM connections. Then, since the knowledge of the queue status of the portable terminals can be used by the centralized scheduler to increase the efficiency of the slot assignment procedure, we propose different algorithms to code the buffer occupancy status. Moreover, we compare their performance by considering two different scenarios; the first loaded with ON-OFF sources served by nrt-VBR ATM connections, and the second with TCP/IP sources served by UBR ATM connections. The results show the superiority of the contention access and the advantages of the buffer status notification for the scheduler at the base station     

Comparison of admission control schemes in ATM networks

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) offers an efficient means of carrying a wide spectrum of BISDN traffic provided that network congestion is prevented. Unfortunately, efficient congestion control is difficult to achieve in integrated broadband networks, owing to the wide range of traffic characteristics and quality of service (QOS) requirements. We have implemented a network simulator that allows us to evaluate many proposed admission control schemes using many different traffic models. We present the results of several simulation studies, including one study of the performance of the admission control schemes in the presence of traffic sources that exhibit long-term dependence.     

Digital video transmission for broadband networks

The information society to come is characterized by a large information flow in the integrated broadband network. Today it is the distribution of TV programmes that requires high transmission capacity. This leaves the cable operator with a problem. How should the CATV network of today be constructed? It must fulfil the need for distribution now and it must be prepared for new services to come. Some aspects of the above problem are discussed in this paper. It is emphasized that digital techniques as well as optical fibre transmission should be included in a modern cable network. The Danish DOCAT network concept is presented as one way to accomplish this. DOCAT combines optical fibre transmission in the trunk network with conventional coaxial techniques in the subscriber network.     

Robust blind image watermarking using crisscross inter-block prediction in the DCT domain

Watermarking has been proposed as a solution to the problem protecting copyrighted multimedia in networked environments. This paper presents a simple but effective blind watermarking scheme capable of satisfying requirements pertaining to imperceptibility as well as robustness, while maintaining a sufficient payload capacity. In the proposed scheme, partly sign-altered mean modulation and mixed modulation are introduced to the crisscross discrete cosine transform (DCT)-based inter-block. Substituting a set of coefficients for a single coefficient enhances robustness against malign attacks. The inclusion of mixed modulation enables control over the parameters required to provide resistance against commonly encountered attacks while maintaining a high peak signal-to-noise ratio. Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exceeds the performance of the seven other schemes in providing robust resistance to variety of attacks, particularly those associated with Gaussian noise and speckle noise.