Performance enhancement of real-time video communications over UTRAN by adaptive resource allocation: system level evaluation

A novel adaptive resource allocation algorithm for video services over UTRAN is proposed. The proposed algorithm deploys joint spreading gain control and transmission power allocation to enhance the performance of real-time video communications over time-varying error-prone environments. The proposed algorithm operates in two phases. In the first phase, adaptation is conducted based on the channel quality received by individual users. The second phase is designed to maximise the total channel quality received by all users in the system, while satisfying the constraints on transmission power and code budget. In this way, the algorithm optimises the video quality received and also maximises the number of satisfied users in the system. The proposed algorithm is tested for actual MPEG-4 coded video transmission in a simulated multiuser UMTS network. Video performances are measured by averaging the frame peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) received by individual users. The results show significantly improved visual and system performances compared to non-adaptive schemes.