A Unified Approach to Heterogeneous Video-on-Demand Broadcasting

Video-on-demand (VoD) is an essential technology for many multimedia applications. However, it remains challenging to efficiently deliver on-demand streams to a large number of receivers in a heterogeneous network environment. Although a number of VoD broadcasting protocols have been proposed for heterogeneous receivers, these protocols considers only single-bit-rate VoD services, which cannot satisfy the diverse quality-of-service requirements of heterogeneous receivers. In this paper, we propose a unified approach to heterogeneous VoD broadcasting, called unified heterogeneous broadcasting (UHB). As a unified approach, UHB is design to integrate different VoD broadcasting protocols and different scalable video coding schemes. The main merits of UHB are threefold. First, unlike conventional VoD broadcasting protocols, UHB supports multiple-bit-rate VoD services. Second, UHB is capable of adapting to network bandwidth fluctuations. Third, UHB enables each heterogeneous receiver to obtain the best visual quality by selecting the optimum system joining time. Our performance evaluation results indicate that UHB is superior to conventional heterogeneous VoD broadcasting protocols under various network conditions.     

A Hybrid Video-on-Demand Data Broadcasting and Receiving Scheme of Harmonic and Staggered Schemes

In providing video-on-demand (VoD) services to a number of clients through networks, the bandwidth requirements of video transmission restrict VoD services. For this reason, many significant broadcasting-based VoD schemes have been proposed to efficiently support services. However, the broadcasting-based VoD schemes approach needs frequency channel hopping, using many channels at the same time and managing many segments of a video. These make it difficult to implement. In this paper, we propose a harmonic staggered broadcasting scheme which has a simple structure and substantially improved VoD efficiency. The proposed scheme substantially reduces the number of segments required and the frequency for switching channels. Also this new scheme performs significantly better than the existing VoD schemes in viewer's waiting time and buffer requirements with simplicity. The numerical results demonstrate that the viewer's waiting time of the harmonic staggered broadcasting scheme is close to the harmonic broadcasting scheme and the buffer requirements of this can be adjusted by a video dividing coefficient $h$ .      

A Flexible QoS-aware Service Gateway for Heterogeneous Wireless Networks

The integration of different types of wireless access networks, or heterogeneous wireless networks (HWN), is emerging. This article investigates in particular how a combination of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) cellular networks, wireless LAN ad hoc networks, and DVB-H (digital video broadcasting - handheld) broadcasting networks, called UWD networks for short, is constructed and managed to provide users with QoS-aware services. Given the complexity of the UWD networks, a novel policy-based service gateway is proposed. As a software framework sitting over and communicating with the UWD network, this UWD service gateway makes network management decision by reasoning over a set of predefined policies that describe the behaviors of the UWD network. Network variables such as bandwidth, delay, and mobility in policies are fuzzified using fuzzy control theory to make the service gateway (as well as the whole UWD network) more flexible and robust. Both the prototype implementation and the evaluation results indicate the feasibility and effectiveness of the system     

Cross-layer architecture for scalable video transmission in wireless network

Multimedia applications such as video conference, digital video broadcasting (DVB), and streaming video and audio have been gaining popularity during last years and the trend has been to allocate these services more and more also on mobile users. The demand of quality of service (QoS) for multimedia raises huge challenges on the network design, not only concerning the physical bandwidth but also the protocol design and services. One of the goals for system design is to provide efficient solutions for adaptive multimedia transmission over different access networks in all-IP environment. The joint source and channel coding (JSCC/D) approach has already given promising results in optimizing multimedia transmission. However, in practice, arranging the required control mechanism and delivering the required side information through network and protocol stack have caused problems and quite often the impact of network has been neglected in studies. In this paper we propose efficient cross-layer communication methods and protocol architecture in order to transmit the control information and to optimize the multimedia transmission over wireless and wired IP networks. We also apply this architecture to the more specific case of streaming of scalable video streams. Scalable video coding has been an active research topic recently and it offers simple and flexible solutions for video transmission over heterogeneous networks to heterogeneous terminals. In addition it provides easy adaptation to varying transmission conditions. In this paper we illustrate how scalable video transmission can be improved with efficient use of the proposed cross-layer design, adaptation mechanisms and control information.     

Performance model of interactive video-on-demand systems

An interactive video-on-demand (VoD) system allows users to access video services, such as movies, electronic encyclopedia, interactive games, and educational videos from video servers on a broadband network. This paper develops a performance evaluation tool for the system design. In particular, a user activity model is developed to describe the usage of system resources, i.e., network bandwidth and video server usage, by a user as it interacts with the service. In addition, we allow batching of user requests, and the effect of such batching is captured in a batching model. Our proposed queueing model integrates both the user activity and the batching model. This model can be used to determine the requirements of network bandwidth and video server and, hence, the trade-off in communication and storage costs for different system resource configurations     

Provision of continuous VCR functions in interactive broadcast VoD systems

Video broadcasting is one of the feasible solutions to implement a large-scale video-on-demand (VoD) system. Nevertheless, it is still an open issue for the provision of continuous VCR functions in a delay insensitive broadcast VoD system. In this paper, we propose to jointly optimize an active buffer management scheme with contingency channels to support the VCR functions in an efficient protocol called partitioned broadcasting. We develop a greedy channel management scheme by exploiting the property of the broadcasting protocol such that the system bandwidth capacity can be fully utilized. Incorporating the channel management scheme with the partitioned video broadcast, the VoD system not only provides delay insensitive services but also handles all the interactive requests. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that the partitioned broadcasting system outperforms the traditional system based on the staggered broadcasting protocols. It is found that 20 broadcasting channels and 10 contingency channels are sufficient to support on average 720 customers for a single video with less that one second start-up delay and all types of VCR functions.     

Mobility support in wireless Internet

The tremendous advancement and popularity of wireless access technologies necessitates the convergence of multimedia (audio, video, and text) services on a unified global (seamless) network infrastructure. Circuit-switched proprietary telecommunication networks are evolving toward more cost-effective and uniform packet-switched networks such as those based on IP. However, one of the key challenges for the deployment of such wireless Internet infrastructure is to efficiently manage user mobility. To provide seamless services to mobile users, several protocols have been proposed over the years targeting different layers in the network protocol stack. In this article we present a cross-layer perspective on the mobility protocols by identifying the key features of their design principles and performance issues. An analysis of the signaling overhead and handoff delay for some representative protocols in each layer is also presented. Our conclusion is that although the application layer protocol is worse than the protocols operating in the lower layers, in terms of handoff delay and signaling overhead, it is better suited as a potential mobility solution for the next-generation heterogeneous networks, if we consider such factors as protocol stack modification, infrastructure change, and inherent operational complexity.     

On utilization efficiency of backbone bandwidth for a heterogeneous wireless network operator

To provide a comprehensive network access service to wireless users, a network operator may operate different types of wireless networks (such as GPRS, Wi-Fi, HSDPA, UMTS, WiMAX and 3GPP LTE) simultaneously to become a heterogeneous wireless network operator, such as Vodafone and T-Mobile. With convenience of accessing wireless networks, ubiquitous services would stimulate the bandwidth expenditure in the network backbone. Lots of various demanded traffic from heterogeneous access networks may converge toward Internet through the common backbone in the operator. Efficiently utilizing the common backbone can offer a better quality of service to users and maximize the revenues for the operator. To our best knowledge, few studies had ever been made in such a contemporary wireless network environment in the past. In this study, we propose solutions to efficiently allocate the bandwidth for user requests and fully utilize the unused bandwidth in the network backbone owned by the heterogeneous wireless network operator. Our simulation results show that our scheme can increase the utilization of the backbone bandwidth, shorten the request completion time for users and generate more revenue for the operator.     

A handover-aware seamless video streaming scheme in heterogeneous wireless networks

With the development of wireless technologies, video streaming services over heterogeneous wireless networks have become more popular in recent years. Video streaming schemes for heterogeneous networks should consider vertical handover in which the link capacity is varied significantly, because the quality experienced for a video streaming service is affected by the network status. When a vertical handover occurs, an abrupt bandwidth change and substantial handover latency lead to bursty packet loss and discontinuity of the video playback. In this paper, we propose a handover-aware video streaming scheme to provide seamless video streaming services over heterogeneous wireless networks. The proposed scheme adjusts its sending rate and the quality level of the transmitted video streams according to the significant bandwidth variation that occurs in a vertical handover. To expedite the response to the bandwidth variation due to a handover, our scheme uses an explicit notification message that informs the streaming server of a client's handover occurrence. In order to evaluate the performance, we use a simulation environment for a vertical handover between wireless local area networks and cellular networks. Through the simulation results, we prove that our scheme improves the experienced quality of video streaming in vertical handovers.     

Location Management Strategies for Cellular Overlay Networks—A Signaling Cost Analysis

In a world driven by the accessibility of data for business, for communication and entertainment, but one populated by an increasingly nomadic society, it is no surprise that the appetite for wireless services continues to grow. The limitations of existing technologies however, particularly for wireless multi-casting and broadcasting, suggest that new approaches are needed to allow users to access services in the all wireless world. A popular approach for improving wireless services proposes to equip mobile terminals (MTs) with more than one radio interface to enable access to services in an always best connected paradigm. One such architecture envisages a co-operating overlay network, or inter-network, that comprises of a cellular telephony network and a digital broadcasting network. MTs in the inter-network have two corresponding radio interfaces and co-operation between the networks provide the user with seamless access to diverse services across the inter-worked platform. In this paper, we introduce novel location management proposals for co-operating overlay networks that incorporate a uni-directional broadcast overlay and provide a cost and latency analysis of the schemes. Our cost analysis demonstrates the soundness of the techniques and the value of the analyses as comparative evaluation tools. In particular, it is shown that there are a wide range of realistic operating conditions where the novel proposals presented here provide an optimum performance in cost terms.     

Wireless provision of true VoD services and fast access to Internet

The evolution of digital compression techniques has made possible the provision of full‐motion video services through networking infrastructures of sufficient bandwidth. This paper presents a wireless broadband network, which is capable of providing true interactive VoD services (with full VCR functions) and fast access to Internet to a number of simultaneous clients. The network is based on frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The paper describes the system architecture and configuration adopted in a real environment trial and elaborates on the provided picture quality in a multi‐client environment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radio Network Aggregation for 5G Mobile Terminals in Heterogeneous Wireless and Mobile Networks

This paper provides a novel design concept for advanced mobile multi interface terminals with radio network aggregation capability and enhanced quality of service (QoS) provisioning for multimedia services (voice, video and data) in heterogeneous wireless and mobile networks. A new module is established which provides the best QoS and lowest cost for any given multimedia service by using simultaneously all available wireless and mobile access networks for a given traffic flow. This novel adaptive QoS module with adaptive QoS routing algorithm is called advanced QoS routing algorithm (AQoSRA), which is defined independently from any existing and future radio access technology. The performance of our proposal is evaluated using simulations and analysis with multi-interface mobile stations with AQoSRA within, carrying multimedia traffic in heterogeneous mobile and wireless environment with coexistence of multiple Radio Access Technologies, such as 3G, 4G as well as future 5G radio access networks. The analysis of the proposed framework for radio networks aggregation in advanced mobile terminals has shown overall better performances regarding the achievable throughput and multimedia access probability in heterogeneous wireless and mobile environment.     

SeekStream: adapting to dynamic user behavior in P2P video‐on‐demand

In recent years, the users' perceived quality of experience (QoE) in streaming services has gained a lot of attention. Particularly, a number of research efforts have focused on providing live streaming and video‐on‐demand (VoD) services using peer‐to‐peer (P2P) architectures. However, in these proposed architectures, the heterogeneity of users and their dynamic behavior has not been sufficiently studied. In a real life scenario, where users have highly heterogeneous bandwidth resources (cable, DSL, 3G networks, etc) and can arbitrarily decide to perform a VCR function (stop, fast forward and seeking), ignoring this behavior can significantly deteriorate the system's efficiency and the perceived QoE. In this paper, we present SeekStream, a scalable P2P VoD architecture that ensures the stable delivery of the video stream to every participating user even in cases of high heterogeneity and frequent seeking operations. Specifically, SeekStream is a set of algorithms that optimize the P2P overlay dynamically and in a distributed fashion, making it adaptive to users dynamic behavior and bandwidth changes. The available bandwidth resources of the participating users are optimally exploited, keeping the contribution from the media server(s) to a minimal level. To illustrate the performance of the proposed algorithms, we are using a centralized overlay network manager that discovers the optimal network graph as a reference. We have developed an extensive P2P VoD simulator that shows the efficiency, scalability, and stability of our system under variant and dynamic conditions. The algorithms of our proposed system introduce less than 4% bandwidth overhead while we achieve high offloading of the media server(s). SeekStream guarantees a high block reception rate for the users, even under extreme seeking patterns. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A quantitative comparison of multiple access control protocols forwireless ATM

The multiple access control (MAC) problem in a wireless network has intrigued researchers for years. For a broad-band wireless network such as wireless ATM, an effective MAC protocol is very much desired because efficient allocation of channel bandwidth is imperative in accommodating a large user population with satisfactory quality of service. Indeed, MAC protocols for a wireless ATM network in which user traffic requirements are highly heterogeneous (classified into CBR, VBR, and ABR), are even more intricate to design. Considerable research efforts expended in tackling the problem have resulted in a myriad of MAC protocols. While each protocol is individually shown to be effective by the respective designers, it is unclear how time different protocols compare against each other on a unified basis. In this paper, we quantitatively compare seven previously proposed TDMA-based MAC protocols for integrated wireless data and voice services. We first propose a taxonomy of TDMA-based protocols, from which we carefully select seven protocols, namely SCAMA, DTDMA/VR, DTDMA/PR, DQRUMA, DPRMMA, DSA++, and PRMA/DA, such that they are devised based on rather orthogonal design philosophies. The objective of our comparison is to highlight the merits and demerits of different protocol designs     

Performance Characterization of Wireless Multimedia through Heterogeneous Terrestrial-Satellite Network

In this work the transmission of multimedia services through heterogeneous integrated terrestrial-satellite networks is analyzed by means of measurement on a real test-bed including a video on demand (VoD) server, an IEEE802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) integrated with a wired LAN, and a geostationary Ka-band satellite link in service at the Telecommunication Laboratory at IEIIT-BO/CNR, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. At first the WLAN radio link is characterized in terms of the mean received power level for different terminal locations within the Lab. Secondary, MPEG-1 video streams are transmitted with different data-rate from the VoD server to many wireless stations and the traffic, for both the single source and the aggregated traffic, is characterized. An integrated terrestrial-satellite LAN is simulated as an example of utilizationof source characterization. Moreover, the quality of service in terms of the average dropped MPEGframes-to-transmitted frames ratio is measured for different channel conditions, data-rate, and the number of wireless terminals requiring the service. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

QoE-aware video cooperative caching and transmission mechanism based on TWDM-PON and C-RAN

The quality of user experience suffers from performance deterioration dramatically due to the explosively growing data traffic.To improve the poor performance of cell-edge users and heavy-load cell users,which caused by dense network and load imbalance respectively,an QoE-aware video cooperative caching and transmission mechanism in cloud radio access network was proposed.Cooperative gain-aware virtual passive optical network was established to provide cooperative caching and transmission for video streaming by adopting collaborative approach in optical domain and wireless domain.Furthermore,user experience for video streaming,bandwidth provisioning and caching strategy were jointly optimized to improve QoE,which utilized the methods of dynamic caching in optical domain and buffer level-aware bandwidth configuration in wireless domain.The results show that the proposed mechanism enhances the quality of user experience and effectively improves the cache hit rate.     

基于认知自选择决策树的垂直切换方法研究

在异构无线网络环境下高速移动的终端用户需要随时随地接入网络,然而,在垂直切换过程中,由于终端用户对网络选择的偏好不同以及切换之后网络连接时间和状态难以得到保障,无法满足用户的切换需求。因此,提出了一种支持终端用户高速移动的基于认知自选择决策树的垂直切换方法。该方法首先根据网络属性和终端运动趋势建立相应的切换概率分布,然后根据用户偏好选择相应的决策树进行决策,最后通过对切换后终端的业务类型和运动状态进行反馈分析,提出了反馈认知决策方法。仿真结果表明,所提的方法不仅能够保证高速移动终端在异构无线网络下的切换质量,而且减少了不必要的切换,保证了网络的及时更新。     

Improving IPTV Forwarding Mechanism in IEEE 802.16j MMR Networks Based on Aggregation

Internet protocol television (IPTV) service depends on the network quality of service (QoS) and bandwidth of the broadband service provider. IEEE 802.16j mobile multihop relay Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access networks have the opportunity to offer high bandwidth capacity by introducing relay stations. However, to actually satisfy QoS requirements for offering IPTV services (HDTV, SDTV, Web TV, and mobile TV) for heterogeneous users' requests, providers must use a video server for each IPTV service type, which increases the network load, especially bandwidth consumption and forwarding time. In this paper, we present a solution for forwarding IPTV video streaming to diverse subscribers via an 802.16j broadband wireless access network. In particular, we propose a new multicast tree construction and aggregation mechanism based on the unique property of prime numbers. Performance evaluation results show that the proposed scheme reduces both bandwidth consumption and forwarding time.     

VLC-WiFi异构网络QoS感知的跨层动态资源分配

VLC-Wi Fi异构网络已经成为广受欢迎的短距离无线通信方式之一。然而,有限的频谱资源导致VLC-Wi Fi异构网络容量难以满足井喷式增长的用户数据带宽需求。该文结合物理层的动态链路传输性能以及媒体访问控制层的队列缓冲延迟性能,定义链路传输性能和链路服务质量(QoS)感知等级评估公式,根据用户数据包QoS需求,设计QoS感知的跨层动态资源分配(QoS-CLDRA)方法,并引入非正交多址接入的用户匹配与功率分配策略,进一步提升系统的吞吐量。仿真结果表明：所提方法能够有效提升系统吞吐量和降低缓冲队列长度。     

LTE Part I: Core network

Current cellular networks based on Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3GPP2 technologies provide evolution from circuit-switched technologies, originally developed for voice communications, to packetswitched technologies. Next-generation networks need to deliver IP-based services (voice, video, multimedia, data, etc.) for all kinds of user terminals while moving between fixed (fiber, DSL, cable) and wireless (3GPP-based, 3GPP2-based, IEEE-based) access technologies, and roaming between various operator networks. Users expect the network to originate, terminate, and maintain a session while the user is moving and roaming. Services have to be delivered to users based on serving network functionality (quality of service [QoS], bandwidth, etc.), availability, and user preferences. The network and users must be protected through various authentication, encryption, and other security mechanisms at the access, network, and application layers. Mobility has to be provided through coordinated link, network, and application layer mobility mechanisms that ensure user expectations of service performance are met. Requirements on the radio technology include improved performance as well as reduced system and device complexity. 3GPP Release 8 specifies the architecture to meet the above requirements.