A Model-Based Evaluation Methodology for Assessing the Efficacy of Packet-Level FEC for Delay-Constrained Video Network Transport

We propose an analytical model to study the overall effectiveness of packet-level FEC in improving delay-constrained video transport over wired networks subject to random loss and delay. In particular, we provide an exact analysis for the effect of the additional delay resulting from FEC coding/ decoding on end-to-end video transmission quality. The effects of several key system parameters on the effectiveness of FEC are investigated and the tradeoffs associated with choice of these parameters are demonstrated by some specific numerical examples.