Highly scalable JPEG image transmission with unequal error protection and optimal feedback

This paper investigates the performance of three different Unequal Error Protection (UEP) schemes for progressive JPEG image transmission using delay-constrained hybrid ARQ, with iterative bit and symbol combining. The first UEP scheme considers only the optimization of channel code-rates and keeps the number of retransmissions fixed for all the subbands of the image. The second one optimizes both the channel code-rates and retransmissions, while the third only considers the optimal allocation of retransmission requests. The UEP schemes are designed with two different coding techniques. The first one employs Rate Compatible Punctured Turbo Codes (RCPT) with iterative bit combining and, is suitable for applications requiring high power efficiency. For the second one we propose a new coding strategy, Rate Compatible Punctured Turbo Trellis Coded Modulation (RCPTTCM) with iterative symbol combining, which provides high scalability and bandwidth efficiency. Gains of over 9 dB in Peak-Signal-to-Noise-Ratio are obtained with the UEP schemes as compared to their corresponding Equal Error Protection (EEP) schemes.