Embedded multiple description scalar quantizers for progressive image transmission

Robust progressive image transmission over unreliable channels with variable bandwidth requires multiple description coding (MDC) systems that produce highly error-resilient embedded bitstreams. The proposed embedded multiple description scalar quantizers (EMDSQ) meet the desired features consisting of a high redundancy level, fine grain rate adaptation and progressive transmission of each description. Experimental results show that EMDSQ yield better rate-distortion performance in comparison to the multiple description uniform scalar quantizers; (MDUSQ) previously proposed in the literature. Moreover, the generalized form of EMDSQ targeting an arbitrary number of channels is proposed, which offers the possibility of designing realistic coders for practical multi-channel communication systems.