PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The objectives of the study on “Scalable Video Coding Applications and Technologies for mobile satellite based hybrid networks” (SVConS) were as follows:
- Investigation of the viability of integrating Scalable Video Coding (SVC) technologies over DVB-SH networks, including:
- Insight on the benefits of scalable video coding in a Mobile TV context,
- Analysis of the DVB-SH specifications with respect to support of scalability,
- Provision of methods for estimating the gain of SVC compared to reference H.264/AVC,
- Verification of these methods via simulation of selected DVB-SH use cases,
- Benchmarking of DVB-SH against other bearer technologies for Mobile TV that are capable of supporting scalable video coding schemes.
- Dissemination of the results to the relevant fora (scientific community, DVB TM–SSP).
The main constraints on tools and methodologies to be applied for this study concerned two different areas:
- Video coding related part:
- State-of-the-art encoding/decoding tools for H.264/AVC and SVC should always be used with as few proprietary modifications as possible.
- Performance evaluation should be based on commonly accepted objective measures only, i.e., no subjective tests were possible within the project’s scope.
- Transmission related part:
- DVB-SH link and PHY layer processing and channel characteristics should be modeled as realistic possible.
- Fair comparison to other technologies via similar choice of global system parameters, like bandwidth, modulation and coding options, control overhead, etc should be achieved.
Challenges
During this study, the following four important reference use cases for SVC over DVB-SH were investigated:
- Is support of heterogeneous terminals on the satellite link feasible?
- Can we efficiently exploit heterogeneous reception conditions on the satellite link?
- Is it possible to extend the terrestrial coverage region without affecting service quality?
- Can we efficiently exploit hybrid reception conditions?
For more details, including a description of the primary objective, the list of simulation parameters, and the main results, the reader is referred to the Executive Summary and/or the Final Report.
Plan
Work in the SVConS project was organized in five different phases:
- In-depth definition and thorough pre-assessment of potential application scenarios and use cases for SVC in Mobile TV services.
- System simulation and analysis of the most promising and relevant use cases compared to reference system deployment.
- Critical review of tools, methodology, and parameter settings based on the outcome of the initial investigations.
- Repetition of certain use cases with modified assumptions to improve the significance of the results.
- Dissemination of results and formulation of recommendations for practical system deployment.
Current Status
The SVConS project was successfully completed at the end of 2010.
