Error control for receiver-driven layered multicast of audio and video

We consider the problem of error control for receiver-driven layered multicast of audio and video over the Internet. The sender injects into the network multiple source layers and multiple channel coding (parity) layers, some of which are delayed relative to the source, Each receiver subscribes to the number of source layers and the number of parity layers that optimizes the receiver´s quality for its available bandwidth and packet loss probability. We augment this layered FEC system with layered pseudo-ARQ. Although feedback is normally problematic in broadcast situations, ARQ can be simulated by having the receivers subscribe and unsubscribe to the delayed parity layers to receive missing information. This pseudo-ARQ scheme avoids an implosion of repeat requests at the sender and is scalable to an unlimited number of receivers, We show gains of 4-18 dB on channels with 20% loss over systems without error control and additional gains of 1-13 dB when FEC is augmented by pseudo-ARQ in a hybrid system, Optimal error control in the hybrid system is achieved by an optimal policy for a Markov decision process