Title :
Lossless aggregation: a scheme for transmitting multiple stored VBR video streams over a shared communications channel without loss of image quality
Author :
Liew, Soung C. ; Chan, Hanford H.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Inf. Eng., Chinese Univ. of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
fDate :
8/1/1997 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
This paper introduces a new concept called lossless aggregation for the transmission of video information. It is a scheme for the delivery of variable bit-rate (VBR) video streams from a video server to a group of users over a shared channel. No data are dropped at the source during the adaptation process that reshapes the VBR video traffic to conform to the channel bit-rate characteristics. The transmission schedules of individual video streams evolve in a dynamic way that depends on their relative traffic characteristics. Receiver buffer underflow and overflow are prevented. Therefore, the data delivery process does not cause any loss of image quality. We show that very significant receiver-buffer reduction can be achieved with aggregation compared with the independent transmission of individual video streams over separate channels. Several bandwidth allocation methods for aggregation are studied extensively. The frame equalization algorithm stands out in terms of its simplicity and optimality
Keywords :
buffer storage; channel capacity; equalisers; receivers; telecommunication channels; telecommunication networks; telecommunication traffic; video coding; visual communication; VBR video traffic; adaptation process; bandwidth allocation methods; bandwidth compression; channel bit rate characteristics; data delivery process; frame equalization algorithm; image quality; lossless aggregation; multiple stored VBR video streams transmission; receiver buffer reduction; shared communications channel; traffic characteristics; transmission schedules; variable bit rate; video coding; video server; Bit rate; Channel allocation; Displays; Image quality; Layout; Network servers; Propagation losses; Streaming media; Video compression; Video sharing;
Journal_Title :
Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Journal on