ARBITER+: Adaptive Rate-Based InTElligent HTTP StReaming Algorithm for Mobile Networks

Abstract

Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) is widely adopted for video transport by major content providers. However, the inherent high variability in both encoded video and network rates represents a key challenge for designing efficient adaptation algorithms. Accommodating such variability in the adaptation logic design is essential for achieving a high user quality of Experience (QoE). In this paper, we present ARBITER+ as a novel adaptation algorithm for DASH. ARBITER+ integrates different components that are designed to ensure a high video QoE while accommodating inherent system variabilities. These components include a tunable adaptive target rate estimator, hybrid throughput sampling, controlled switching, and short-term actual video rate tracking. We extensively evaluate the streaming performance using real video and cellular network traces. We show that ARBITER+ components work in harmony to balance temporal and visual QoE aspects. Additionally, we show that ARBITER+ enjoys a noticeable QoE margin in comparison to state-of-the-art adaptation approaches in various operating conditions. Furthermore, we show that ARBITER+ also achieves the best application-level fairness when a group of mobile video clients share a cellular base station.