Reliable and low-latency QUIC-based framework for OTT media delivery
Author
Hansen, Jonas Kazimieras Bjerre
Term
4. term
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-03
Pages
49
Abstract
Audiences for live streaming of major events keep growing, and they expect higher resolution and lower latency, while distribution costs are rising. This project presents a more efficient approach by combining QUIC with multicast. QUIC is a modern transport protocol with built‑in security and reliability, and the design preserves these benefits while using unicast for retransmissions. The core idea is to send the video itself via multicast—one stream to many receivers—and use unicast for packet acknowledgements, retransmissions, and session initialization. To make multicast reliable, the system employs RLNC (a form of network coding that adds redundancy so lost packets can be recovered) over any network that supports IP multicast. In the proposed architecture, unicast traffic runs over the public internet, while multicast operates on a managed network connected to set‑top boxes at customer premises or gateways near end users. The last mile to the playback device uses standard unicast over HTTP/2. As a result, typical video devices with internet access can receive a low‑latency, high‑quality live stream while retaining the familiar benefits of QUIC.
Flere ser live‑streamede storbegivenheder, og de forventer høj opløsning og lav forsinkelse (latenstid). Samtidig stiger omkostningerne ved distribution. Dette projekt præsenterer en løsning, der kombinerer QUIC og multicast for at streame video mere effektivt. QUIC er en moderne transportprotokol med indbygget sikkerhed og pålidelighed, og løsningen bevarer disse fordele, mens unicast bruges til genforsendelser. Kernen er at sende selve videostrømmen som multicast, så én strøm kan nå mange modtagere, og bruge unicast til pakke‑kvitteringer, genforsendelser og initialisering. For at gøre multicast pålidelig anvendes RLNC (en form for netværkskodning, der tilføjer redundans, så tabte datapakker kan genskabes) over ethvert netværk, der understøtter IP multicast. Systemarkitekturen placerer unicast‑trafikken over det offentlige internet, mens multicast kører på et administreret netværk, der er forbundet til settopbokse hos kunder eller gateways tæt på slutbrugere. Den sidste mile til afspilningsenheden foregår som standard unicast via HTTP/2. Dermed kan almindelige videoafspilningsenheder med internetadgang modtage en live‑stream i høj kvalitet med lav latenstid, samtidig med at kendte QUIC‑egenskaber bevares.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]