Unequal packet loss protection for layered video transmission

A general model for the transmission of layered video is introduced. The effect of packet dropping in different layers on the reconstruction of pictures is analysed. The application of unequal packet loss protection (UPLP) for layered video is proposed and the performance is investigated. An algorithm for the design of the UPLP parameters is described. The numerical analysis shows that the unequal packet loss protection can significantly improve the communication quality, in the sense of packet loss rate on reconstructing pictures, without any additional complexity in the network infrastructure. It is also shown that application of UPLP can achieve a more efficient bandwidth utilization than the application of ARQ protocols. This technique is suitable for multimedia multicasting in heterogeneous networks, as well as for digital video broadcasting systems which support a variety of receivers with different resolutions and signal processing powers.