An experimental study of packet loss and forward error correction in video multicast over IEEE 802.11b network

Özgü Alay, Thanasis Korakis, Yao Wang, Shivendra Panwar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Video multicast over Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) faces many challenges due to varying channel conditions and limited bandwidth. A promising solution to this problem is the use of packet level Forward Error Correction (FEC) mechanisms. However, the adjustment of the FEC rate is not a trivial issue due to the dynamic wireless environment. This decision becomes more complicated if we consider the multi-rate capability of the existing wireless LAN technology that adjusts the transmission rates based on the channel conditions and the coverage range. In order to explore the above issues we conducted an experimental study of the packet loss behavior of the IEEE 802.11b protocol. In our experiments we considered different transmission rates under the broadcast mode in indoor and outdoor environments. We further explored the effectiveness of packet level FEC for video multicast over wireless networks with multi-rate capability. In order to evaluate the system quantitatively, we implemented a prototype using open source drivers and socket programming. Based on the experimental results, we provide guidelines on how to efficiently use FEC for wireless video multicast in order to improve the overall system performance. We show that the Packet Error Rate (PER) increases exponentially with distance and using a higher transmission rate together with stronger FEC is more efficient than using a lower transmission rate with weaker FEC for video multicast.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2009 6th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference, CCNC 2009
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Event2009 6th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference, CCNC 2009 - Las Vegas, NV, United States
Duration: Jan 10 2009Jan 13 2009

Publication series

Name2009 6th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference, CCNC 2009

Other

Other2009 6th IEEE Consumer Communications and Networking Conference, CCNC 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLas Vegas, NV
Period1/10/091/13/09

Keywords

  • Forward error correction
  • IEEE 802.11b
  • Packet error rate
  • Video multicast
  • Wireless networks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  • Communication

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