Cross-Layer Scheduling in QUIC and Multipath QUIC for 360-Degree Video Streaming

The emergence of immersive multimedia content over mobile devices introduces applications that demand superior data bandwidth and low delay in network connections. Especially, the required network bandwidth and delays in 360-degree video streaming make it hard to achieve high QoE using TCP over inherently variable wireless networks. To overcome such limi-tations, this paper explores the use of QUIC and its multipath extension (Multipath QUIC or MPQUIC) for 360-degree video streaming. We also present a Cross-Layer Scheduling mechanism (CLS) for QUIC and MPQUIC to address further the lack of prioritization in QUIC's stream multiplexing. CLS uses appli-cation layer information, such as object sizes and priorities, and network layer information, such as network delays and bandwidth. It uses a variation of a job scheduling algorithm to schedule segments for QUIC streams. We implement CLS in the application layer without modifying QUIC/MPQUIC and follow the MPEG-DASH standard for video streaming. Our evaluation demonstrates significant improvement in user's QOE including rebuffering over baseline QUIC or TCP.