Objective
OLYMPIC project will define, implement and integrate novel end-to-end network solutions and multimedia coding techniques, towards the realisation of a decentralised system able to capture, encode and distribute hundreds of personalised audio and video streams from live sources across the Web to multiple recipients. The complete systems are intended to be available worldwide to the complete Internet Community, in time for the Olympic Games of 2004 using the WWW. Deployed in parallel, but not in competition to the mass media, this web-based streamed multimedia real-time technology will exploit the ability of the Internet to offer individual interactive choice, thus targeting special interest groups of smaller scale. The system will be validated on the pre-Olympic tournaments (Athens 2003) and exploited in the 2004 Olympic Games. The project aims to develop the missing technologies and enhancement of IP with QoS and multicast capabilities by means of Differentiated services, RSVP, etc.
Objectives:
The main objective of the OLYMPIC project is to define, implement and integrate novel end-to-end network solutions and multimedia coding techniques, towards the realisation of a decentralised system able to efficiently capture, encode and distribute hundreds of personalised audio and video streams from live sources across the Web to multiple recipients. The resulting integrated system and applications will allow special interest groups of any size to identify and select personal viewing modes of major events that are not available in the mass media
The complete system technology, architecture, modules and devices are intended to be available world-wide to the complete Internet Community for the Athens Olympic Games of 2004 using the WWW.
Work description:
An adaptive, "carrier-class", audio/video stream encoding platform will be designed and developed. The problem of content coding is still open, while distribution over the WWW targets highly heterogeneous bit-rate connections. The OLYMPIC project aims to specify, implement and integrate an innovative encoding system based on fully programmable (DSPs, FPGAs) and specialised components.
Live audio/video raw or encoded streams are going to be collected into the server farm utilising a Next Generation Network (optical rings) mainly based on WDM technology. Add-drop techniques, together with signal quality monitoring around the collection ring, need to be developed. Another objective is to develop and implement a novel integrated Web/Video Server application capable of manipulating and distributing hundreds of video streams in real-time. The users will be able to browse the content and select a specific video or data stream utilising normal browsers enhanced with Active X or JAVA applets. Efficient distribution of streaming video all over the world is the next objective of the OLYMPIC project. IP multicast is essential, especially when addressing millions of receivers. However, combining multicast capability and QoS support in a streaming application over a highly heterogeneous network is a significant challenge.
The OLYMPIC project will specify, integrate and demonstrate an extended server architecture able to accommodate the multicasting, real-time requirements of the services and the huge traffic load
Finally, an integrated end-to-end management solution for the complete architecture will be identified, specified and implemented. OLYMPIC targets a highly complex network that includes wavelength-agile WDM ring (including access nodes), encoders, switches, routers and application servers. Each system will provide a complete independent Element Management System, though an Inter-domain Network Management system will be specified, implemented and integrated.
Milestones:
Firstly, the compilation of users' requirements and needs. Then, the Olympic System will be completely defined. The encoding algorithm, programmable platform and Multimedia Stream Encoder System will be developed.
Video/Optical Interfaces will be supplied, and the Optical Node Infrastructure and Facilities will be ready.
Next, a Distribution Network architecture will be implemented, and the GUI will be released.
Finally, subsystems will be integrated, and trials will be designed and carried out.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
28037 MADRID
Spain