Test-bed implementation of a cross-layer framework for video streaming over IEEE 802.11 ad-hoc wireless network

Video streaming over bandwidth constrained and highly unpredictable wireless environment has prompted innovative cross-layer design strategies in the literature. However, most of the existing cross-layer designs lack the experimental validation of their real-life performance capability. In this paper, we have developed a test-bed that implements a recently proposed cross-layer framework for video streaming applications over IEEE 802.11 based ad-hoc wireless networks. The test-bed allows joint adaptation of the transcoding rate (at the application layer) with the number of redundant forward error correction packets (at the data link layer). When the proposed framework is invoked, the experimental results show that the video transcoding rate is adapted according to the channel, resulting in a reduced number of lost video frames, which contributes to a better video quality.