On the optimality of block orthogonal transforms for multiple description coding of Gaussian vector sources

In this work, we consider the application of unitary filter banks for multiple description coding of independent, identically distributed Gaussian vector sources. We derive the redundancy-rate-distortion bound for this class of signals. It is shown that for two-dimensional (2-D) Gaussian vector sources (resulting in a two-description system), 2/spl times/2 block transforms give all the achievable optimal points in the redundancy-rate-distortion function among the class of all unitary filter banks. Similar results can be obtained for higher-dimensional transforms.