Multimedia over highly dynamic mobile wireless ad hoc networks: A cross layer collaborative approach Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2008.1 Topic No.: N08-089 Topic Title: Multimedia over highly dynamic mobile wireless ad hoc networks: A cross layer collaborative approach Proposal No.: N081-089-0596 Firm: Intelligent Automation, Inc. 15400 Calhoun Drive Suite 400 Rockville, Maryland 20855 Contact: Vahid Ramezani Phone: (301) 294-5225 Web Site: www.i-a-i.com Abstract: A novel framework for multimedia communications over highly dynamic MANETs is proposed. The proposed framework is model-based and has many virtues such as scalability, self-organization, and self-healing, just name a few. To develop such a framework, significant theoretical and simulation efforts need to be made in cross-layer optimization, multipath routing of multimedia over the low-bandwidth MANETs, and performance evaluation. In our approach, we propose a novel cross-layer optimization approach to take QoS into account at MAC, network, transport, and application layers for multipath routing of multimedia over MANET; A Multiple Description (MD) coding technique will be integrated to offer great potential for video communications over military MANETs under extreme conditions. A novel model-based simulation infrastructure with an integrated executable modeling solution across multiple design abstraction layers will be built to facilitate the operational specification, design, and development simulation of the class of content-driven distributed applications. Finally, a video quality evaluation framework will be developed to efficiently assess the quality of transmitted video based mainly on frame decoding errors. Benefits: In this research work, we will develop a multimedia communications framework over highly dynamic MANET by incorporating new paradigms in wireless network, video processing, and optimization. Our commercialization approach is focused on both military and commercial market. In battlefield decision making process, it is required to have a reliable real-time transmission of situational awareness information under dynamic changing communication topology with high packet loss and frequent link/node failures. The proposed framework is also suitable for all commercial mobile networks for public security, surveillance system, traffic avoidance, environmental monitoring, and emergency response, etc. An important market we have researched as a major focus for commercialization is surveillance and homeland security and defense under severe emergency conditions. In such markets ad hoc mobile networks of surveillance and security points might be formed and the due to limits in the resources and the need for coverage, the operational conditions and resources might be adverse. With up to 80 percent lower network infrastructure cost compared to cable, wireless mesh networks make city-wide IP video surveillance practical and providers superior service. According to IDC, U.S. shipments of IP cameras will double from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2007 to 2008 (from 190,000 units in 2006 to 390,000 units in 2007 and 775,000 units in 2008.) Emerging providers can implement mesh technology enabling deployment of IP video surveillance where it was previously cost-prohibitive or impractical. We believe our proposed solutions would find its place in this emerging market worth hundreds of millions considering the growing importance of security requirements with limited resources and under dynamic conditions with priority requirements resulting from the nature of surveillance, security and emergency conditions. Return