Control-Based Adaptive Middleware for Real-Time Image Transmission over Bandwidth-Constrained Networks
Xiaorui Wang, Ming Chen, Huang-Ming Huang, V. Subramonian, Chenyang Lu, Christopher D. Gill · IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems · 2008
Real-time image transmission is crucial to an emerging class of distributed embedded systems operating in open network environments. Examples include avionics mission re-planning over Link-16, security systems based on wireless camera networks, and online collaboration using camera phones. Meeting image transmission deadlines is a key challenge in such systems due to unpredictable network conditions. In this paper, we present CAMRIT, a Control-based Adaptive Middleware framework for Real-time Image Transmission in distributed real-time embedded systems. CAMRIT features a distributed feedback control loop that meets image transmission deadlines by dynamically adjusting the quality of image tiles. We derive an analytic model that captures the dynamics of a distributed middleware architecture. A control theoretic methodology is applied to systematically design a control algorithm with analytic assurance of system stability and performance, despite uncertainties in network bandwidth. Experimental results demonstrate that CAMRIT can provide robust real-time guarantees for a representative application scenario.