Adaptive control algorithm for networked multimedia applications

The effects of channel fading on application performance is often mitigated through the use of adaptive protocols such as forward-error correction (FEC). We propose an adaptive algorithm that improves the performance of a single application by minimizing data loss and decreasing packet delay. The algorithm accomplishes this task by determining dynamically how to allocate the available resources to the user applications. It attempts to solve the control problem that arises when multiple applications share these constrained network resources. An application is controlled (allocated available resources) or suspended (stopped from using network resources) so that the remaining applications can perform adequately. The operation of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated for two different scenarios; first in the presence of decreasing capacity; and then in the presence of increasing BER. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using simulations and experimental measurements.