A Modulated Throughput Driven Rate Adaptation Algorithm for Dynamic HTTP Streaming

A modulated throughput driven rate adaptation algorithm is proposed in this paper for obtaining a smooth playback continuity in Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). The experimental evaluation of the proposed rate adaptation algorithm over two real-world wireless network environments demonstrates that the proposed algorithm significantly outperforms the other rate adaptation algorithms in terms of providing optimal download bit rates, minimum number of quality switches and the maximum utilization of available throughput while maintaining the playback buffer level within limits without any playback interruptions. In addition, since the proposed algorithm always selects a representation quality according to the estimated buffer level, it avoids both buffer overflow and underflow at the media player of the client, especially in the case of short-term throughput fluctuations.