Transcoder-aided multipoint real-time video conferencing over heterogeneous networks

Often, a mobile terminal has barely enough resources (bitrate and processing power) to support a good quality real-time videoconferencing session with another user. There is a growing need and interest for multi-party videoconferencing but it requires increased resources that these terminals don’t possess. In this project, we investigate the use of a smart transcoder to enable real-time video conferencing between multiple heterogeneous terminals with limited resources. Inserting a transcoder between the end-points is expected to resolve the terminals’ bitrate and processing limitations but at the expense of increased delay making real-time an even bigger challenge. To solve this issue, we will enhance technologies to monitor bitrate and adjust dynamically the various video-encoding parameters to meet the delay constraints while optimizing the quality at each destination terminal. The results of this research will lead to a robust multi-party real-time videoconferencing system between resource-limited terminals; something still lacking today. This will enrich Vantrix’s video product offering and permit a postdoc to extend his PhD research on bitrate estimation and rate control and apply it to a cutting-edge application.

Faculty Supervisor:

Stéphane Coulombe

Student:

Partner:

Vantrix Corporation;École de technologie supérieure

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Wholesale trade

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program: