Network coding for multi-resolution multicast

摘要

A method, apparatus and computer program product for utilizing network coding for multi-resolution multicast is presented. A network source partitions source content into a base layer and one or more refinement layers. The network source receives a respective one or more push-back messages from one or more network destination receivers, the push-back messages identifying the one or more refinement layers suited for each one of the one or more network destination receivers. The network source computes a network code involving the base layer and the one or more refinement layers for at least one of the one or more network destination receivers, and transmits the network code to the one or more network destination receivers in accordance with the push-back messages.

主权项

1. A method of network coding, comprising:
partitioning, at a network source, source content into a base layer and one or more refinement layers, wherein the base layer provides a lowest resolution associated with the source content and the one or more refinement layers provide a respective one or more resolutions associated with the source content that are at respective higher resolutions than the base layer, wherein the one or more refinement layers are at a respective one or more progressively higher resolutions; receiving, at said network source, a respective one or more push-back messages from one or more network destination receivers; computing, at said network source, a network code involving said base layer and said zero or more refinement layers for at least one of said one or more network destination receivers wherein said network code comprises a random linear network code, said random linear network code comprising random linear combinations of at least a portion of said base layer and zero or more of said refinement layers; transmitting, by said network source, said network code to at least one intermediate node, wherein said intermediate node re-encodes packets it receives and wherein said intermediate node determines a number of layers up to which said intermediate node can decode and wherein said intermediate node acts as a secondary source for layers that said intermediate node can decode; and at a network destination receiving said network codes and utilizing said network codes to decode said base layer and zero or more of said refinement layer.