Real-time bandwidth management middleware for multi-session isochronous streaming service in the IEEE1394-based home network

In order to support a multi-session multimedia streaming service in home networks, many critical problems must be considered. In particular, handling the shortage of network bandwidth is one of the most significant and complicated problems. In this paper, a real-time streaming management middleware named as RTSM middleware is suggested as a solution to the problem regarding the IEEE1394-based home network. In order to handle the shortage of network bandwidth and enhance the bus utilization rate, the proposed middleware combines two methods. First, the bandwidth management function measures the usage rate of network bandwidth and restores the residual bandwidth, which is excessively occupied by a streaming service, to free bandwidth. Second, the isochronous streaming (IS) scheduler manages all streaming services in a network according to a priority-based preemptive scheduling policy. This paper focuses on explaining the necessity of bandwidth management in home networks and describing the prototype architecture of the proposed middleware. Evaluation result will show the potential possibility of the proposed middleware.