Author: Manuela Pereira

Publisher:

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13:

This PhD thesis provides a new ways of looking multiple description method (MDC). We propose a robust joint source channel MDC method that is adapted to the transmission of images and videos on non stationary channels. The main advantage of this method is that it is well adapted for applications implying transmissions using unreliable and variable channels. Moreover, for its compression and synchronization capabilities it is appropriate for real time transmissions. We show that the proposed method present the best results, in terms of signal to noise ration and of visual quality, when compared with other multiple description methods existing in the state of the art. Moreover, it is well adapted for applications where the standard method of error control cannot easily adapt to the characteristics of the channel. The method is validated on various channel models (BSC, AWGN, Internet, UMTS, satellite) when considering image and video transmissions. The proposed MDBA is well adapted for application demanding a feedback-based encoder, as peer-to-peer video conferencing, wireless video, etc. But it is insufficient in a real video streaming system where the server may be a serving thousand of clients simultaneously. It is that the reason why we develop a system based in the MDBA but dedicated to video streaming. The last chapter of this dissertation presents an extension of the MDBA method to make streaming video robust to channel errors. The proposed method is rate adaptable, at the actual commercial methods, and it is also quality adaptable that is presented in the literature as an important characteristic of video streaming systems.