Uncoded Multimedia Transmission

An uncoded multimedia transmission (UMT) system is one that skips quantization and entropy coding in compression and all subsequent binary operations, including channel coding and bit-to-symbol mapping of modulation. By directly transmitting non-binary symbols with amplitude modulation, the uncoded system avoids the annoying cliff effect observed in the coded transmission system. This advantage makes uncoded transmission more suited to both unicast in varying channel conditions and multicast to heterogeneous users.

Particularly, in the first part of Uncoded Multimedia Transmission, we consider how to improve the efficiency of uncoded transmission and make it on par with coded transmission. We then address issues and challenges regarding how to better utilize temporal and spatial correlation of images and video in the uncoded transmission, to achieve the optimal transmission performance. Next, we investigate the resource allocation problem for uncoded transmission, including subchannel, bandwidth and power allocation. By properly allocating these resources, uncoded transmission can achieve higher efficiency and more robust performance. Subsequently, we consider the image and video delivery in MIMO broadcasting networks with diverse channel quality and varying numbers of antennas across receivers. Finally, we investigate the cases where uncoded transmission can be used in conjunction with digital transmission for a balanced efficiency and adaptation capability.

This book is the very first monograph in the general area of uncoded multimedia transmission written in a self-contained format. It addresses both the fundamentals and the applications of uncoded transmission. It gives a systematic introduction to the fundamental theory and concepts in this field, and at the same time, also presents specific applications that reveal the great potential and impacts for the technologies generated from the research in this field. By concentrating several important studies and developments currently taking place in the field of uncoded transmission in a single source, this book can reduce the time and cost required to learn and improve skills and knowledge in the field.

The authors have been actively working in this field for years, and this book is the final essence of their years of long research in this field. The book may be used as a collection of research notes for researchers in this field, a reference book for practitioners or engineers, as well as a textbook for a graduate advanced seminar in this field or any related fields. The references collected in this book may be used as further reading lists or references for the readers.