Multi Source Streaming for Robust Video Transmission in Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

Video transmission over networks is getting increasingly important, thus upcoming network types like mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) can also become a suitable platform for exchanging/sharing real-time video streams. We present an approach using different sources with linear independent representations of a layered video stream for increasing the robustness in transmission. This approach is based on the scalable video coding (SVC) extensions of H.264/MPEG-4 AVC with different layers for assigning importance for transmission. Additionally a novel unequal packet loss protection (UPLP) scheme based on Raptor forward error correction codes is employed. This scheme allows for reception from different sources and benefits from it. While the reception of a single stream guarantees base quality at least, the combined reception enables play-back of video of full quality and/or lower error rates.