Video Conferencing Evaluation Considering Scalable Video Coding and SDN Network

Video conferencing is very common nowadays, and it may contemplate heterogenous devices (e.g., smartphones, notebooks, game consoles) and networks in the same session. Developing video conferencing systems for this myriad of devices with different capabilities requires special attention from system designer. Scalable video coding (SVC) is a prominent option to mitigate this heterogeneity issue, but traditional Internet protocol (IP) networks may not fully benefit from such a technology. In contrast, software-defined networking (SDN) may allow better utilization of SVC and improvements on video conferencing components. This paper evaluates the performance of video conferencing systems adopting SVC, SDN and ordinary IP networks, taking into account throughput, delay and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) as the metrics of interest. The experiments are based on Mininet framework and distinct network infrastructures are also considered. Results indicate SDN with SVC may deliver better video quality with reduced delay and increased throughput

Guest Editorial: Satellite Systems, Applications and Networking.

yesGuest Editorial of Special Issue (featuring eight original papers, comprising 133 pages in total). Whilst satellite systems continue to be at the forefront of broadcast communication service provision, they have an increasingly important role to play in the provision of global Internet services. There has been a strong trend towards convergence of communication services in recent times, with the Internet providing the ideal platform on which to base such convergence. Even traditional circuit-switched applications (such as voice and video streaming) have been shown to work effectively over the Internet. Although the Internet is prevalent in the developed world, satellites are vital to extending this into more remote and sparsely populated regions of the world. It is therefore important that satellite technology is advanced to provide seamless interoperability with the Internet and adequate Quality of Service (QoS) support. The purpose of this special issue is to present research devoted to furthering satellite technology and networking to support the provision of both current and future applications

MEPs online: Understanding communication strategies for remote representatives

This article explores the use of the Internet by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), assessing the adoption of online communication as well as its strategic uses. In particular we analysed the websites, weblogs and social networking site profiles of all MEPs who linked to an online presence from the European parliament homepage, a total of 440 MEPs representing all 27 member nations. Through a thorough analysis of the content using a scheme designed to record the presence and functionality of 103 specific features and tools and recency of updates, we assess how MEPs use the Internet to connect with a range of audiences; from journalists to loyal supporters. We find MEPs embracing a range of features which would be appealing to a wide range of different visitors. There is a minor generational divide among MEPs based both on their age and the length of time their country has been a member of the European Union. However overall we suggest there is an ebb and flow of innovation within the online political communication of these parliamentarians

Influence of social networks on communication and culture

Má bakalářská práce je zaměřena na problematiku sociálních sítí a jejich vliv na dnešní společnost. Zabývá se jejich historií od prvotních pokusů až po nejnovější globální sociání sítě. Poté práce vysvětluje základní myšlenku vedoucí k vytvoření sociálních sítí i jejich charakteristické znaky. Dále nastiňuje problémy související se snadnou dostupností a nadměrným využíváním sociálních sítí, které následně ovlivňuje lidskou společnost. Práce se věnuje vlivu sociálních sítí na jazyk, mezilidskou komunikaci a kulturní adaptaci.My bachelor thesis is focused on issues with social networking services and their influence on modern society. It addresses their history from the very first attempts to create a social networking service to the modern global ones. Later the thesis provides an explanation of the creation of a social networking service and its characteristic traits. Furthermore it outlines problems connected with the availability and overuse of social networking services that are subsequently influencing the human society. The thesis also analyzes the influence of social networks on language, interpersonal communication and cultural adaptation.

The Internet and Civic Engagement

Based on a survey, analyzes how socioeconomic status and other demographics correlate with online and offline political and civic engagement. Explores suggestions that younger generations' political use of social media may alter such patterns

Feedforward data-aided phase noise estimation from a DCT basis expansion

This contribution deals with phase noise estimation from pilot symbols. The phase noise process is approximated by an expansion of discrete cosine transform (DCT) basis functions containing only a few terms. We propose a feedforward algorithm that estimates the DCT coefficients without requiring detailed knowledge about the phase noise statistics. We demonstrate that the resulting (linearized) mean-square phase estimation error consists of two contributions: a contribution from the additive noise, that equals the Cramer-Rao lower bound, and a noise independent contribution, that results front the phase noise modeling error. We investigate the effect of the symbol sequence length, the pilot symbol positions, the number of pilot symbols, and the number of estimated DCT coefficients it the estimation accuracy and on the corresponding bit error rate (PER). We propose a pilot symbol configuration allowing to estimate any number of DCT coefficients not exceeding the number of pilot Symbols, providing a considerable Performance improvement as compared to other pilot symbol configurations. For large block sizes, the DCT-based estimation algorithm substantially outperforms algorithms that estimate only the time-average or the linear trend of the carrier phase. Copyright (C) 2009 J. Bhatti and M. Moeneclaey

The Internet and the 2008 Election

Presents results of a survey on the use of the Internet to get news about or engage in the campaign, the use of email and text messaging to discuss it, the role of online video and social networking sites, and the Internet's impact on politics

Social Justice Documentary: Designing for Impact

Explores current methodologies for assessing social issue documentary films by combining strategic design and evaluation of multiplatform outreach and impact, including documentaries' role in network- and field-building. Includes six case studies