Multimedia Content Transfer

Subject description

The course provides the knowledge necessary for understanding the elements, techniques, and principles of transfer of multimedia content. Students are acquainted with the basic characteristics and requirements of multimedia traffic and with the selection criteria of the transmission system for individual types of multimedia content.

Definition of multimedia content and flows.
Transfer of multimedia content from the source to the destination.
Networks and protocols for the transfer of multimedia content.
Transfer network resource access and sharing.
Forwarding of multimedia data.
Properties and characteristic of multimedia traffic.
Mechanisms for the multimedia content transfer in the operator and user environments
Techniques of multimedia traffic engineering.
Transfer demands of multimedia flows and methods of its transfer: the most important transfer parameters, interactivity, real real-time transfer.
Problems with multimedia content transfer and the assurance of adequate transfer conditions.
Quality of service assurance: definitions, fundamental principles, standards, parameters, measures.
Planning and selection of the transfer system.

The subject is taught in programs

Objectives and competences

The main objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the process of multimedia content transfer.
Competencies that students will gain include:

Understanding the process of multimedia content creation, the characteristics of the multimedia traffic, the interdependence of the elements of the transmission system and the principles for providing proper transmission conditions.
Understanding the role of the transmission system, linking the theory with the practical issues; the ability for the evaluation of the designed solutions.
Understanding the mechanisms of multimedia content and service transfer in the operator and non-operator systems such as IPTV, broadcasting and online and mobile multimedia services.
Individual work on multimedia content transfer and traffic management.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures in which the student is acquainted with the theoretical basics and lab work where the student meets the practical problems and solves them in the team.

Expected study results

After successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

understand the fundaments of multimedia content transfer,
explain the fundamental traffic characteristics of multimedia flows,
describe the basic elements of transfer system,
analyse properties, parameters, and operation of the transfer system,
implement fundamental principles for the assurance of adequate conditions for multimedia content transfer,
selection of appropriate transfer systems for multimedia content transfer with the desired level of quality of service.

Basic sources and literature

Marques da Silva, Multimedia Communications and Networking, CRC Press, ISBN 978-1-4398-7484-4
Andleigh, Thakrar, Multimedia Systems Design, Prentice Hall, 654 str., ISBN 0-13-089095-2
Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer networks, Prentice Hall, 891 str., ISBN 0-13-038488-7
Shrinavas Vegesna, IP Quality of Service, Cisco Press, 343 str., ISBN 1-57870-116-3