Joint source-channel rate allocation in parallel channels

Abstract

A novel rate-optimal rate allocation algorithm is proposed for parallel transmission of scalable images in multi-channel systems. Scalable images are transmitted via fixed-length packets. The proposed algorithm selects a subchannel as well as a channel code rate for each packet, based on the signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the subchannels. The resulting scheme provides unequal error protection of source bits. Applications to JPEG2000 transmission show that significant UEP gains are achieved over equal error protection (EEP) schemes.