Unequally Error Protected Data Partitioned Video with Combined Hierarchical Modulation and Channel Coding

This paper presents an efficient unequal error protection (UEP) approach for data partitioned video over wireless channels. We consider two methods: 1) forward error correction (FEC) with variable code-rates, and 2) hierarchical quadrature amplitude modulation (HQAM) combined with FEC with a fixed code-rate. In a low-delay application, the variable bit rate ratio between the high-priority and low-priority layers imposes certain constraints on these two methods. These constraints are discussed and solutions are proposed. Simulation results with an H.264 video codec show that combined HQAM and FEC outperforms FEC alone in both Gaussian and fading channels while having advantage over the nonlayered transmission