Proactive Content Caching for Mobile Video Utilizing Transportation Systems and Evaluation Through Field Experiments

In order to provide high-quality and highly reliable video delivery services for mobile users, especially train passengers, we propose a proactive content caching scheme that uses transportation systems. In our system, we place content servers with cache capability [e.g., content centric networking/named data networking (CCN/NDN)] in every train and station. Video segments encapsulated by MPEG-Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH) are distributed and pre-cached by the station servers before the trains arrive at the stations. The trains receive content via high-speed wireless transport, such as wireless LANs or millimeter waves, when they stop at the stations. We developed prototype systems based on hypertext transfer protocol and CCN/NDN protocol, evaluate their performance through two field experiments that uses actual trains, and compare with traditional video streaming over cellular networks. Such evaluations indicate that our system can achieve high-quality video delivery without interruption for up to 50 users simultaneously.