Video Streaming Over Ad Hoc Networks: A QoE-Based Optimal Routing Solution

Multimedia streaming over multihop ad hoc networks is an emerging application. Consequently, a novel routing algorithm designed for video streaming is necessary. Existing video routing solutions focus on technical parameters such as bandwidth, jitter, delay, etc. However, these parameters are not perfectly correlated to the quality of experience (QoE) perceived by users. In this paper, we study a QoE-based routing problem in multihop wireless ad hoc networks. We use the pseudosubjective quality assessment (PSQA) tool to derive the mean opinion score (MOS). As PSQA is an implicit nonlinear function, we use a linearization method to derive its approximate mathematical form. Then, we formulate the optimal QoE-based routing problem as a mixed-integer linear programming. We show major properties of feasible solutions of the problem and then exploit them to propose a heuristic algorithm. The results show that the proposed algorithm can enhance resource utilization and the users' experience with wireless networks. Moreover, the feasible solution can be reached in real time using the proposed heuristic approach.