Forward Error Correction (FEC) Coding in Video Network Transmission: Concepts, Modeling and Performance Analysis

Forward error correction (FEC) coding has often been proposed to recover packet losses and improve packet video transport in packet-switched communication networks. This book proposes a model-based analytic approach for evaluating the overall efficacy of FEC coding in combating packet losses in IP networks. The approach facilitates the selection of optimal coding strategies for different multimedia applications with various quality-of-service requirements and system constraints. This book then investigates the efficacy of FEC from the perspective of the video application layer and assesses the effectiveness of FEC coding in improving end-to-end video transport quality. A model-based framework is developed to describe FEC- protected packet video network transport system which is then used to analytically investigate the overall efficacy of packet-level FEC in improving the end-to-end video PSNR quality. This book also investigates the accuracy of different discrete-time Markov chain models in characterizing the random packet-loss process associated with transport networks.