Ensuring fairness in multimedia multicast streaming with optimal rate allocation and client buffer utilization

In this paper, we propose a rate control mechanism for multimedia multicast streaming in the Internet. A single and optimal transmission rate that is adaptive to the network congestion, buffer occupancies, and the playback requirements of the member clients in the multicast group is allocated. We optimize the multicasting delivery in the Internet by improving the buffer occupancy of all clients for on-time presentation while using the minimal transmission rate. Scalable playback is used for the clients with low bandwidth capacities in a heterogeneous environment. Simulation results show that the buffer capacity can be efficiently improved and fairness is ensured among the member clients.