Delay analysis for real-time streaming media in multi-hop ad hoc networks

In this paper, we investigate an important issue for real-time multimedia over multi-hop ad-hoc networks on different layers. Such application requires receiver playback buffers to smooth network delay variation and reconstruct the periodic nature of the transmitted packets. Packets arriving after their schedule deadline are considered late and are not played out. This requires that the network is able to offer quality of service appropriate for the delay bounds of the real-time application constrains. Our primary contribution concerns the study of the end to end delay. Based on the latter results, we approximate the loss rate of a real-time traffic which requires a delay bounds constraints. Then, we propose a cross layer scheme from the network layer to the MAC layer to support real-time traffic. In this scheme, we reduce the loss rate by decreasing the packets that arrive after their schedule deadline. Through numerical and simulation results, we demonstrate the utility and efficiency of our approach.