Impact of MPEG Video Traffic on an ATM Multiplexer

Variable Bit Rate video is expected to be a major source of traffic for the Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network. While many methods for coding and compressing this video have been proposed, it is likely that the MPEG standard will be commonly used for the delivery of new video services over high speed networks, such as the Broadband ISDN. In this paper, we explore the effect of the MPEG Group of Pictures (GOP) structure on the performance of a multiplexer carrying this video traffic from a number of independent sources. We conclude that the alignment between the GOP structures of the different sources will have a major impact on network performance and lead to difficulties concerning the Connection Admission Control and the Usage Parameter Control of MPEG video sources. We also suggest means by which this effect might be reduced. Keywords ATM, Broadband ISDN, Video Communications 1 Introduction The Broadband ISDN provides a very flexible digital communications network, ov..