Cross-layer design of raptor codes for video multicast over 802.11n MIMO channels

This paper explores the benefits of application layer forward error correction (AL-FEC) based on Raptor codes for high quality video multicasting over 802.11n multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels. A cross-layer Wi-Fi simulator in combination with a state-of-the-art ray tracing propagation tool was used to analyse the performance of spatial multiplexing (SM) and space time block coding (STBC) MIMO techniques under different channel conditions. Simulation results showed that with the use of Raptor code AL-FEC, the operation range of the SM system was increased, i.e., the outage probability was driven to zero even though the MIMO channels were highly correlated. Furthermore, the spectral efficiency was also increased since the SNR gain can be increased up to 10 dB depending on the channel conditions. This results in a higher MCS mode to be selected for the transmission of data. We also presented a MIMO switching algorithm which implements Raptor codes as a means to improve the SM performance and then we evaluated the system under realistic wireless channel conditions.