A Comparison of Models for VBR Video Traffic Sources in B-ISDN

Variable bit rate (VBR) video is expected to be a major source of traac for the Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network (B-ISDN). To dimension the network, there is a need to predict the network performance. Traac models are often used as an aid in this process, and many have been proposed as suitable for the modeling of VBR video sources. However, further work is required in the area of verifying the accuracy of models, and little comparison between models is available. In this paper, several of these models are presented and their properties discussed, including their ability to predict accurately diierent aspects of network performance, with an emphasis on cell loss statistics. Finally, some time is spent reviewing a number of open questions in modeling video streams and their superposition, and the analysis of queueing systems with this kind of input.