Dynamic GOP structure selection to support QoS in vertical handoff

This paper proposes a dynamic GOP structure selection method to provide seamless video streaming for vertical handoff in the heterogeneous wireless network. The proposed method dynamically changes the interval of I-pictures by using the received signal strength indication (RSSI) and the pilot strength (Ec/Io) in order to reduce error propagation due to packet losses. Thus, with the proposed method, the client can always receive the I-picture right after vertical handoff. Experimental results show that the proposed method can significantly reduce the video quality degradation caused by vertical handoff in the real-time video encoding applications.