A Robust and Adaptive Rate Control Algorithm for Real-time Video Communications

This paper proposes a rate control algorithm for real-time video communications. The algorithm exploits feedback buffer control to achieve better buffer stability while improving the accuracy of bit regulation. The novel controller is proposed based on the proportional-integral-derivative (PID) technique, which is widely used in automatic control systems. This PID-based buffer controller can be effectively utilized to maintain a more stable buffer level and adjust the target bits of a frame based on the complexity of the frame and the buffer fullness. An improved R-D model and update scheme are also applied to achieve a more accurate rate regulation and maximize the picture quality. Overall, experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm in this paper provides a better buffer stability, a more accurate rate regulation and a better picture quality