NUM-based fair rate-delay balancing for layered video multicasting over adaptive satellite networks

Trading delay and rate in upcoming satellite networks are of paramount interest. In this paper, we present a solution to optimally distribute resources across MAC, IP and APP layers to deal with the problem of efficiently and reliably delivering low latency and high rate inelastic services over such networks. In order to do so, we formulate the problem of rate/delay balancing according to a Network Utility Maximization (NUM) paradigm assuming Scalable Video Coding (SVC) feeding a cross-layer DiffServ architecture, and an adaptive physical layer. We solve not only the bit loading balancing across the IP queues but also the video layers distribution to be sent among the adaptive physical layers, all constrained by delay requirements. The solution, which provides a fair rate-delay trade-off, happens to be on a water filling load across the queuing architecture, and it is suitable for multicasting scenarios. Finally, we propose a full protocol design, implementation, and performance evaluation based on truly available standardized tools, hence, it is ready-to-use. Our solution significantly outperforms non cross-layer approaches in terms of delay and video quality, and it dynamically adapts to channel and traffic variations. © 2011 IEEE.