A buffer-feedback rate control method for video streaming over mobile communication systems

Abstract

In a wireless video streaming service system, the receiver reports its required rate in the reverse link for each transmission. A data buffer is often installed in the receiver to stabilize the multimedia play-out rate. This buffer may underflow if there is a shortage of content. Simply increasing the transmission rates may cause resource problems. A more delicate way is trying to control the transmission rate when necessary. In this paper, a transmission rate control method utilizing the receiver buffer fullness level and the frame error rate (FER) information is proposed. Simulation results demonstrate the proposed control provides better play-out quality with reasonable system resources consumption.