QoS of multiparty videoconference over geostationary satellites

Multimedia applications have stringent requirements, including throughput and temporal requirements, in their performance objectives. Geostationary (GEO) satellite links are increasingly being used to transport IP-based network services, especially to reach remote regions where it is expensive or impractical for terrestrial networks. The paper presents research work carried out in the ICEBERGS Project within the EU IST 5^th Framework Programme. It studied the methodologies of monitoring quality of service (QoS) and performance of real time continuous media applications. Such methodologies can be useful for evaluating the multi-MCU (multipoint control unit) and multicast architecture developed in the GEO satellite environment of the ICEBERGS project, and for constructing management tools for dynamic adaptation or network parameters optimization.