Unequal Importance Image Communication over Heterogeneous Networks

An unequal importance communication approach, for reliable and real-time image communication over heterogeneous networks and its applications in mobile communication systems is presented. Here, an image is partitioned into different layers of importance: base layer and enhancement layers. The base layer description, which can be strongly protected, is transmitted through a robust, low-bandwidth channel, supporting delaysensitive applications (e.g. GSM network), while the enhancement layer description(s) are transmitted through a high-bandwidth and high/variable-delay channel which does not support delaysensitive applications (e.g. WLAN). In the receiver, when the base layer description is quickly received, an acceptable quality image is reconstructed; and when the enhancement layer description(s) are received a high quality image can be reconstructed. Our practical results indicated that this simple, flexible, and highly compatible method facilitates high quality image distribution amo...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2007
• Where: VTC
• Authors: Mehdi Malboubi, Ahmad Bahai, Mustafa Ergen, Pravin Varaiya, Jean C. Walrand
• Keywords: Base Layer, Base Layer Description, Enhancement Layer, VTC 2007