Robust and Efficient Video Communication Based on Combined Source- and Channel Coding

Abstract

A video communication system based on combined source- and channel coding is proposed. The proposed system uses a subband video coder structure in combination with powerconstrained channel-optimized vector quantization (PCCOVQ) to achieve efficient and robust transmission of the video signal over a channel with multidimensional PAM signaling. The side information is protected by using a sufficiently large minimum distance of the PAM signal constellation. This ensures error free transmission for the channel-optimized case, and graceful degradation for channel mismatch situations. For the main information, however, PCCOVQ with direct mapping from the source parameter space to the channel (modulation) space is used. A video communication system based on the H.263 video coder is used as a reference. The proposed system compares favorably to the reference system, and offers graceful degradation for channel mismatch situations. 1. INTRODUCTION Combined source and channel coding systems have..