Multimedia services are the killer applications on next generation convergent networks. Video contents are the most resource consuming part of a multimedia flux. Video transmission, video multicast and video conferencing services are the most popular types of video communication with increasing difficulty levels. Four main parts of the distributed cross-layer scalable multimedia services over next generation convergent networks are considered in this research work, both from the architecture and performance point of views. Firstly, we evaluate the performance of scalable multimedia transmissions over an overlay network. For that, we evaluate the performance of scalable video end-to-end transmissions over EvalSVC. It is capable of evaluating the end-to-end transmission of SVC bit-streams. The output results are both objective and subjective metrics of the video transmission. Through the interfaces with real networks and an overlay simulation platform, the transmission performance of different types of SVC scalability and AVC bit-streams on a bottle-neck and an overlay network will be evaluated. This evaluation is new because it is conducted on the end-to-end transmission of SVC contents and not on the coding performance. Next, we will study the multicast mechanism for multimedia content over an overlay network in the following part of this PhD thesis. Secondly, we tackle the problems of the distributed cross-layer scalable multimedia multicast over the next generation convergent networks. For that, we propose a new application-network cross layer multi-variable cost function for application layer multicast of multimedia delivery over convergent networks. It optimizes the variable requirements and available resources from both the application and the network layers. It can dynamically update the available resources required for reaching a particular node on the ALM's media distribution tree. Mathematical derivation and theoretical analysis have been provided for the newly proposed cost function so that it can be applied in more general cases of different contexts. An evaluation platform of an overlay network built over a convergent underlay network comprised of a simulated Internet topology and a real 4G mobile WiMAX IEEE802.16e wireless network is constructed. If multicast is the one-to-many mechanism to distribute the multimedia content, a deeper study on the many-to-many mechanism will be done in the next part of the thesis through a new architecture for video conferencing services. Thirdly, we study the distributed cross-layer scalable video conferencing services over the overlay network. For that, an enriched human perception-based distributed architecture for scalable video conferencing services is proposed with theoretical models and performance analysis. Rich theoretical models of the three different architectures: the proposed perception-based distributed architecture, the conventional centralized architecture and perception-based centralized architecture have been constructed by using queuing theory to reflect the traffic generated, transmitted and processed at the perception-based distributed leaders, the perception-based centralized top leader, and the centralized server. The performance of these three different architectures has been considered in 4 different aspects. While the distributed architecture is better than the centralized architecture for a scalable multimedia conferencing service, it brings many problems to users who are using a wireless network to participate into the conferencing service. A special solution should be found out for mobile users in the next part of the thesis. Lastly, the distributed cross-layer scalable video conferencing services over the next generation convergent network is enabled. For that, an IMS-based distributed multimedia conferencing services for Next Generation Convergent Networks is proposed. [...].

The first book, by the leading experts, on this rapidly developing field with applications to security, smart homes, multimedia, and environmental monitoring Comprehensive coverage of fundamentals, algorithms, design methodologies, system implementation issues, architectures, and applications Presents in detail the latest developments in multi-camera calibration, active and heterogeneous camera networks, multi-camera object and event detection, tracking, coding, smart camera architecture and middleware This book is the definitive reference in multi-camera networks. It gives clear guidance on the conceptual and implementation issues involved in the design and operation of multi-camera networks, as well as presenting the state-of-the-art in hardware, algorithms and system development. The book is broad in scope, covering smart camera architectures, embedded processing, sensor fusion and middleware, calibration and topology, network-based detection and tracking, and applications in distributed and collaborative methods in camera networks. This book will be an ideal reference for university researchers, R&D engineers, computer engineers, and graduate students working in signal and video processing, computer vision, and sensor networks. Hamid Aghajan is a Professor of Electrical Engineering (consulting) at Stanford University. His research is on multi-camera networks for smart environments with application to smart homes, assisted living and well being, meeting rooms, and avatar-based communication and social interactions. He is Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Smart Environments, and was general chair of ACM/IEEE ICDSC 2008. Andrea Cavallaro is Reader (Associate Professor) at Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL). His research is on target tracking and audiovisual content analysis for advanced surveillance and multi-sensor systems. He serves as Associate Editor of the IEEE Signal Processing Magazine and the IEEE Trans. on Multimedia, and has been general chair of IEEE AVSS 2007, ACM/IEEE ICDSC 2009 and BMVC 2009. The first book, by the leading experts, on this rapidly developing field with applications to security, smart homes, multimedia, and environmental monitoring Comprehensive coverage of fundamentals, algorithms, design methodologies, system implementation issues, architectures, and applications Presents in detail the latest developments in multi-camera calibration, active and heterogeneous camera networks, multi-camera object and event detection, tracking, coding, smart camera architecture and middleware

Smart Energy Grid Engineering provides in-depth detail on the various important engineering challenges of smart energy grid design and operation by focusing on advanced methods and practices for designing different components and their integration within the grid. Governments around the world are investing heavily in smart energy grids to ensure optimum energy use and supply, enable better planning for outage responses and recovery, and facilitate the integration of heterogeneous technologies such as renewable energy systems, electrical vehicle networks, and smart homes around the grid. By looking at case studies and best practices that illustrate how to implement smart energy grid infrastructures and analyze the technical details involved in tackling emerging challenges, this valuable reference considers the important engineering aspects of design and implementation, energy generation, utilization and energy conservation, intelligent control and monitoring data analysis security, and asset integrity. Includes detailed support to integrate systems for smart grid infrastructures Features global case studies outlining design components and their integration within the grid Provides examples and best practices from industry that will assist in the migration to smart grids

H.264 Advanced Video Coding or MPEG-4 Part 10 is fundamental to a growing range of markets such as high definition broadcasting, internet video sharing, mobile video and digital surveillance. This book reflects the growing importance and implementation of H.264 video technology. Offering a detailed overview of the system, it explains the syntax, tools and features of H.264 and equips readers with practical advice on how to get the most out of the standard. Packed with clear examples and illustrations to explain H.264 technology in an accessible and practical way. Covers basic video coding concepts, video formats and visual quality. Explains how to measure and optimise the performance of H.264 and how to balance bitrate, computation and video quality. Analyses recent work on scalable and multi-view versions of H.264, case studies of H.264 codecs and new technological developments such as the popular High Profile extensions. An invaluable companion for developers, broadcasters, system integrators, academics and students who want to master this burgeoning state-of-the-art technology. "[This book] unravels the mysteries behind the latest H.264 standard and delves deeper into each of the operations in the codec. The reader can implement (simulate, design, evaluate, optimize) the codec with all profiles and levels. The book ends with extensions and directions (such as SVC and MVC) for further research." Professor K. R. Rao, The University of Texas at Arlington, co-inventor of the Discrete Cosine Transform

This book provides developers, engineers, researchers and students with detailed knowledge about the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard. HEVC is the successor to the widely successful H.264/AVC video compression standard, and it provides around twice as much compression as H.264/AVC for the same level of quality. The applications for HEVC will not only cover the space of the well-known current uses and capabilities of digital video – they will also include the deployment of new services and the delivery of enhanced video quality, such as ultra-high-definition television (UHDTV) and video with higher dynamic range, wider range of representable color, and greater representation precision than what is typically found today. HEVC is the next major generation of video coding design – a flexible, reliable and robust solution that will support the next decade of video applications and ease the burden of video on world-wide network traffic. This book provides a detailed explanation of the various parts of the standard, insight into how it was developed, and in-depth discussion of algorithms and architectures for its implementation.

If engineering is the art and science of technical problem solving, systems architecting happens when you don't yet know what the problem is. The third edition of a highly respected bestseller, The Art of Systems Architecting provides in-depth coverage of the least understood part of systems design: moving from a vague concept and limited resources