Interactive distribution networks

Distribution of 3D and HD content through a fixed or wireless network to a large population of users is definitely a very ambitious challenge. The requirements are often in sharp mutual conflict and in almost any case are: high transmission reliability (hard to guarantee especially in wireless that requires error resilience and error concealment strategies), low latency (essential to maintain especially in the case of real-time end-to-end that forbids the use of re-transmission techniques like ARQ and TCP protocols), rate adaptation matching on the network conditions and end-node capabilities, scalability (indicates that the transmission should go along the broadcasting and multicasting paradigms), matching the rendering capabilities and display resolutions of different end-user devices.

SkyMedia focuses on the most appropriate usage of wireless protocols for the transmission of 3D-HD content in order to address a large family of terminals without requiring the usage of licensed spectrum. This remains in line with the goal of produce an immersive media experience in a live event environment, without requiring the set-up of a full-fledge broadcasting infrastructure. Development of advanced error resilience algorithms will allow the introduction of novel coding techniques at higher layers providing lower complexity and improved performance than those of existing techniques. Multicasting protocols over wireless are further enhanced for the delivery of 3D content, taking into proper account the reliability and scalability requirements, as well as congestion control mechanisms. Robust and dynamic video streaming of HD and 3D contents are addressed for unicast and multicast delivery, data protection in now based on addition of Forward Error Correction (FEC) codes at different parts of the chain (NAL and RTP) and Unequal Error Protection (UEP), while adaptive coding and optimized distribution are performed through RTP and feedbacks from RTCP/RTSP protocols and DCCP congestion control protocols. Developed modules are integrated within video servers or gateways and constitute the basis of the SkyMedia multimedia service platform. Finally novel 3D mobile applications are to be developed as well.