Unequal-Protected LT Code for Layered Video Streaming

In this paper, we proposed a channel coding mechanism for layered videos based on the concept of Luby-Transform (LT) code. In a layered video streaming system, every video layer suffers from equal packet-loss rate; however, lower layers are more important than the higher ones. The proposed mechanism can protect those important layers from packet-loss to some meaningful degree. In other words, lower video layers can be earlier and easier decoded than high layers under the same packet-loss rate. Compared with other Unequal Error Protection schemes using Reed-Solomon code or LT code, the complexity and overhead are largely reduced. Besides, a randomized implement to generate appropriate coding graph on-line was proposed also, thus our mechanism is suitable for real-time applications with devices of limited computation capability and stringent delay requirement.