Optimized scalable Multiple-Description Coding and FEC-based Joint Source-Channel Coding: A performance comparison

This paper proposes an optimized, low-complexity methodology that combines joint source-channel coding (JSCC) based on forward error correction (FEC) coding and scalable multiple description coding (MDC) mechanisms for error-resilient data transmission over error-prone packet-based channels. Additionally, we report a comparative theoretical analysis between (i) MDC, and FEC-based scalable JSCC for sources encoded using (ii) single description coding (SDC) and (iii) MDC. Our analysis assumes ideal source coders that can achieve the theoretical performance bounds for a Gaussian source. This source model is independent of the actual implementation and therefore allows to draw conclusions on the theoretical performance of these approaches and to determine which methodology should be employed in specific transmission scenarios.