Cross-Layer QoE-Based Incentive Mechanism for Video Streaming in Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

We study video dissemination in a multi-hop wireless network with a source and several users. The source intends to stream a video to the users of the network. For the sake of energy-efficiency, the video is disseminated through the whole network by the help of some users that forward the video to who other users. In such networks, designing a proper incentive for the forwarding users who consume energy for forwarding the video to others is of high importance. In this paper, we design an incentive mechanism based on a game-theoretic model in which a user is paid by its receiving users in case of forwarding the video to them. The video is layered and a higher quality of experience (QoE) at a receiving user is possible by receiving more layers of the video. A utility function is proposed for every user that captures the perceived QoE at the user and the cost she pays for the video. Moreover, it captures the reward the user receives from others in exchange for forwarding the video to them. The utility function is designed in a way that the users who contribute more in the network, in terms of forwarding the video to others, are paid more. A non-cooperative game is formulated in which every user selfishly maximizes its own utility and determines the number of video layers she prefers to receive. The game is iterative and converges to the Nash equilibrium point. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed game theoretic model results in a higher QoE at the users as compared to that of a non-incentive video dissemination model.