Adaptive FEC scheme for layered multimedia streaming over wired/wireless channels

In wireless communication, noise and channel fluctuation often cause bit errors and subsequently the packet loss, which has different characteristic from the loss from network congestion. For most congestion control algorithms, the packet loss information serves as an index of network congestion and is used for effective rate adjustment; therefore wireless packet loss can mistakenly lead to dramatic performance degradation. We discuss the reasons leading to packet loss and propose a packet loss classification (PLC) algorithm that is based on trend detection of relative one-way trip time. With the assistance of PLC, not only can the wireless loss be separated from the congestion loss, the wireless packet error rate can be also estimated. With the combined information, the new adaptive congestion control algorithm is constructed so that a receiver can acquire an appropriate share of bandwidth. The transmitted data is protected by adaptive Maximum Distance Separable erasure codes according to the wireless channel condition and end-to-end available bandwidth.