A Cross Layer Optimization Mechanism to Improve H.264 Video Transmission over WLANs
Supporting video applications over 802.11 wireless local area networks is a challenging task due to the constant fluctuations in channel error rates and the inefficiency of the MAC layer. New video compression technologies, such as H.264, provide a network adaptation layer for adapting the output of the video encoder to the characteristics of the underlying transport network. In this article we demonstrate that it is possible to improve the performance of H.264 video applications over 802.11 WLANs through a cross-layer design that optimizes the encoded H.264 packet sizes. We propose the use of aggregation and fragmentation mechanisms to create the optimal frame lengths. We also investigate several application layer error