Raptor-based reliable unicast content delivery in wireless network environments

Abstract

Delivering contents over wireless networks can be a challenging task due to the intrinsic limitations of these environments. In this paper we propose RCDP, a solution which adopts an application layer FEC scheme based on Raptor codes to avoid retransmissions, optimizing content delivery for the unicast case. The proposed solution relies on end-to-end bandwidth estimations to perform rate control, achieving high throughput levels in lossy wireless environments. We have designed and implemented RCDP for the GNU/Linux platform to validate our approach under different channel conditions, varying packet loss ratio, end-to-end delay, and channel capacity. Experimental results show that the proposed solution is very efficient when facing high loss ratios and end-to-end delays, allowing for an efficient usage of channel resources in wireless scenarios.