A Video-Aware FEC-Based Unequal Loss Protection System for Video Streaming over RTP

Abstract: A video-aware unequal loss protection (ULP) system for protecting RTP video streaming in bursty packet loss networks is proposed. Considering the relevance of the frame, the state of the channel, and the bitrate constraints of the protection bitstream, our algorithm selects in real time the most suitable frames to be protected through forward error protection (FEC) techniques. It benefits from a wise RTP encapsulation that allows working at a frame level without requiring any further process than that of parsing RTP headers. This makes our system straightforward and fast, perfectly suitable to be included in commercial video streaming servers. Simulation results show how our technique outperforms other proposed ULP schemes.