Performance Evaluation of Multicast Video Distribution using 802.11n in Realistic Environments

Inhalt:
This paper exploits Application Layer Forward Error Correction (AL-FEC) based on Raptor codes to achieve for reliable video multicast over 802.11n multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels. The system performance and cross-layer optimisation parameters are analysed for spatial multiplexing (SM) waveforms under different channel conditions and quality of service requirements. Results show that the transmission efficiency and reliability of the SM system can be significantly improved when AL-FEC codes are employed. Improvements of up to 8 dB in terms of SNR were observed depending on the channel condition, chosen modulation and coding scheme and Raptor code rate. Moreover, at low SNR and for channels with low spatial correlation, the performance of SM with AL-FEC code shows better performance than that of STBC.