Efficient cross-layer resource allocation for H.264/SVC video transmission over downlink of an LTE system

We formulate a PHY/APP cross-layer resource allocation problem for efficient transmission of video streams in a multiple-user LTE downlink system. To achieve a predetermined video PSNR, the number of bits needed for different users is calculated using a parameterized Rate-Distortion (RD) model proposed by [4]. We design an admission policy which assigns frequency-time OFDMA channel resource to video users based on a cross layer metric. For the admitted users, we use a tracking algorithm to serve the users as the video source content and channel conditions evolve. The goal of the resource allocation is to maximize the number of admitted users from a fixed user population and guarantee that the video quality of admitted users will achieve the predetermined PSNR threshold. The performance of the proposed algorithms is compared to four baseline algorithms which exploit different levels of cross layer knowledge about the channel and source characteristics, and the results show benefits from cross-layer optimization.