Analytical model in discrete time for cross-layer video communication over LTE

Since video traffic is resource intensive, it is a challenging issue to stream video over low bandwidth networks, whereas video communication over LTE becomes an open research topic nowadays due to LTE’s high throughput capabilities. Indeed, video transmission requires low delay, and wireless channel is time-varying, which result in a scenario when a layer-separated design is replaced by a Cross-Layer Adaptation (CLA) principle. In this paper an efficient analytical model that evaluates the behavior of the downlink LTE channel with CLA is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time an analytical model using CLA principle has been devised that covers both the transmission process from the eNB to the User Equipment (UE) at the first phase and video decoding process at the UE at the second phase. In order to ensure the cross-layer adaptation in the model, the arrival rate varies based on the received video request, whereas the service probability changes according to the channel quality indicator sent from the UE. In the experimental part the analysis of the main performance measures found from the stationary distribution is conducted. © 2014, Allerton Press, Inc.