A buffer-based approach to rate adaptation

Existing ABR algorithms face a significant challenge in estimating future capacity: capacity can vary widely over time, a phenomenon commonly observed in commercial services. In this work, we suggest an alternative approach: rather than presuming that capacity estimation is required, it is perhaps better to begin by using only the buffer, and then ask when capacity estimation is needed. We test the viability of this approach through a series of experiments spanning millions of real users in a commercial service. We start with a simple design which directly chooses the video rate based on the current buffer occupancy. Our own investigation reveals that capacity estimation is unnecessary in steady state; however…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: 1040593, 0904609, CNS-0832820, 0832820
• G
  Google
• DO
  Division of Computer and Network Systems

  Awards: CNS-0904609, CNS- 1040593, CNS-0832820