Multiple Multicast Tree Construction and Multiple Description Video Assignment Algorithms

Abstract

In this chapter, we introduce novel algorithms for constructing multiple multicast tree and assigning multiple description (MD) video to a group of heterogeneous multicast destinations. Our main objective is to increase the number of assigned MD video to each destination node. In order to achieve our objective, we propose to employ the independent-description property of MDC (multiple description coding) along with multiple multicast tree. We mean by independent-description property of MDC the following. If there are three video descriptions, for example, then receiving any subset of video descriptions, i.e., ({VD1,VD2,VD3} ,{VD1,VD2} ,{VD1,VD3} ,{VD2,VD3} ,{VD1} ,{VD2} ,{VD3}) of the video descriptions will reproduce the original video in different qualities depending on the number of video descriptions received. A main issue of video multicasting for heterogeneous destinations is the assignment of video descriptions and the construction of multicast trees. However, the assignment of MD video and the construction of multicast tree can greatly affect the user satisfaction (i.e., affect the number of assigned video description to each destination and hence affect the quality of the received video. However, many questions are raised: How multiple multicast tree should be constructed? And how MD video should be assigned? Is it better to construct multiple multicast tree first and then assign the video descriptions? Or is it better to assign the video descriptions first and we then construct multiple multicast tree? Should we perform that in a distributed manner or in a centralized one? Does the independent-description of MDC increase the user satisfaction? To answer these questions, we propose different algorithms to construct multiple multicast tree and to assign MD video. The proposed algorithms are: Serial MDC, Distributed MDC, Centralized MDC, and sequential MDC. Serial MDC algorithm constructs multiple paths, to each destination, and assigns a different video description to each of them. After that, it constructs multiple multicast tree based on the assignment of MD video. Distributed MDC algorithm assigns MD video and constructs multiple multicast tree in parallel and in distributed fashion. In Centralized MDC, the assignment of MD video and the construction of multiple multicast tree are performed in a centralized manner. However, Centralized MDC first constructs multiple multicast tree and then assigns different video description to each multicast tree. Finally, Sequential MDC sequntially assigns MD video to each multicast tree.This means that all destinations should be assigned the first description. Then, 17