A periodic broadcasting scheme for clients of small bandwidths and buffers

Abstract

Periodic broadcast is a cost-effective solution for large-scale distribution of popular videos. This strategy partitions a video into multiple segments, which are then broadcast across individual channels. Regardless of the number of video requests, this strategy guarantees constant worst service latency to all clients. An essential periodic broadcast method is the slotted general Fibonacci broadcasting (SGFB) scheme, which allows a client to receive video segments at a small bandwidth. In comparison with other similar schemes, SGFB yields the smallest waiting time. Extending SGFB, this work devises a new scheme to achieve small client buffering space without increasing waiting time. The proposed scheme still guarantees on-time segment downloading under limited client receiving bandwidths. Extensive analysis shows that the new scheme can reduce the buffer size by as much as 34.5%, when compared with SGFB. The scheme is thus appropriate to mobile video systems with limited-capability client devices, such as PDAs and cell phones.