CONVINcE: Towards Power-Optimized Video Distribution Networks

CONVINcE is a CELTIC-PLUS project dedicated to minimizing the power consumption in IP-based video distribution networks, from the headend to the terminal. The entire video distribution chain is considered in the project, covering a wide range of entities involved in this process. Examples of these entities are headend, edge cloud, Content Distribution Network (CDN), core backbone network, Radio Access Network (RAN) as well as fixed and mobile terminals. Related to this, one of the most difficult research questions is regarding the provision of minimum end-to-end power consumption for video streams combined with the best possible Quality of Experience (QoE) obtained at the terminal. It requires solving a number of sophisticated research questions, among them modelling and optimization problems. The paper first provides an overview of video distribution networks, which is followed by a short presentation of the CONVINcE project. The second part is focused on the optimization concept suggested to provide both minimum end-to-end power consumption and the best possible QoE at the terminal. Keywords—IP-based video distribution networks; energy saving; performance optimization