UEP framework in multiresolution modulation for robust image broadcasting

Unequal error protection (UEP) for multimedia communications relies on transmitting more important data through the sub-channels experiencing lower bit error rates (BERs). In radio broadcasting, UEP is implemented by deploying multiresolution (MR) modulations which allow the support for users close to the transmitter with higher perceived recovered image quality, while the users farther away experience the acceptable quality. This paper proposes a new approach to design MR modulations for such an image broadcasting scenario that optimizes the near users quality by exploiting the inherent scalability in image compression and UEP flexibility in 2-D modulation schemes. The proposed new framework for the design of MR modulations effectively integrates constellation distances and priority bits assignments, resulting in two user optimized joint source-channel coding. We present the simulation results for near and far users´s image quality in such two-tier optimized radio broadcasting systems.