Joint source-channel multistream coding and optical network adapter design for video over IP

In this paper, we present a panorama picture on how to achieve end-to-end video over IP service under the communication environments, consisting of backbone networks, hybrid access networks, and the end users. The paper consists of three equally weighted subtopics which cover some novel thoughts in designing and implementing the video over IP system in the different areas, namely, a Synchronous Optical NETwork (SONET) network adapter for backbone connections, the joint source-channel multistream coding in hybrid access networks, and the content-based source coding in the transform domain. We propose to link the three different problems associated with the hybrid networks, which have different characteristics and design requirements, to improve the critical performances in various areas of video over IP systems. The goal is to deliver video over IP networks in more cost-effective and reliable manner. IP/ATM over SONET is currently a commonly used backbone technique. In the first part of this paper, we present a flexible design and implementation of a SONET network adapter to carry IP traffic via optical fiber. Unlike many conventional designs, our single-chip implementation supports different data rates (OC-3, OC-12, and OC-48), carries IP traffic directly over fiber, achieves more flexible for multivendor interoperability, and provides bandwidth efficient designs at the lower system latency. Hybrid access-networks via wireline or wireless connections are most likely needed for last-mile services. In the second part of this paper, we propose a joint source-channel multistream video coding scheme to combat the transmission errors under the harsh network conditions. On top of traditional error control techniques, the simulation results demonstrate that our multistream design outperform the conventional approaches by up to 5–7 dB under the harsh network conditions. To support our multistream video coding scheme, we need to access and manipulate video objects rather than the frame of pixels. In the third part of this paper, we focus on the coding of arbitrary shape video fully in the transform domain.