NeSt-VR: An Adaptive Bitrate Algorithm for Virtual Reality Streaming over Wi-Fi

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Casasnovas, Miguel, Maura, Ferran, Vandebroeck, Isjtar, Sukmawanto, Haryo, Joris, Eric, Bellalta, Boris
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Casasnovas, Miguel
Maura, Ferran
Vandebroeck, Isjtar
Sukmawanto, Haryo
Joris, Eric
Bellalta, Boris
author_facet Casasnovas, Miguel
Maura, Ferran
Vandebroeck, Isjtar
Sukmawanto, Haryo
Joris, Eric
Bellalta, Boris
contents Real-time interactive Virtual Reality (VR) streaming is a significantly challenging use case for Wi-Fi given its high throughput and low latency requirements, especially considering the constraints imposed by the possible presence of other users and the variability of the available bandwidth. Adaptive BitRate (ABR) algorithms dynamically adjust the encoded bitrate in response to varying network conditions to maintain smooth video playback. In this paper, we present the Network-aware Step-wise ABR algorithm for VR streaming (NeSt-VR), a configurable algorithm implemented in Air Light VR (ALVR), an open-source VR streaming solution. NeSt-VR effectively adjusts video bitrate based on real-time network metrics, such as frame delivery rate, network latency, and estimated available bandwidth, to guarantee user satisfaction. These metrics are part of a comprehensive set we integrated into ALVR to characterize network performance and support the decision-making process of any ABR algorithm, validated through extensive emulated experiments. NeSt-VR is evaluated in both single- and multi-user scenarios, including tests with network capacity fluctuations, user mobility, and co-channel interference. Our results demonstrate that NeSt-VR successfully manages Wi-Fi capacity fluctuations and enhances interactive VR streaming performance in both controlled experiments at UPF's lab and professional tests at CREW's facilities.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2502_14947
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle NeSt-VR: An Adaptive Bitrate Algorithm for Virtual Reality Streaming over Wi-Fi
Casasnovas, Miguel
Maura, Ferran
Vandebroeck, Isjtar
Sukmawanto, Haryo
Joris, Eric
Bellalta, Boris
Networking and Internet Architecture
Real-time interactive Virtual Reality (VR) streaming is a significantly challenging use case for Wi-Fi given its high throughput and low latency requirements, especially considering the constraints imposed by the possible presence of other users and the variability of the available bandwidth. Adaptive BitRate (ABR) algorithms dynamically adjust the encoded bitrate in response to varying network conditions to maintain smooth video playback. In this paper, we present the Network-aware Step-wise ABR algorithm for VR streaming (NeSt-VR), a configurable algorithm implemented in Air Light VR (ALVR), an open-source VR streaming solution. NeSt-VR effectively adjusts video bitrate based on real-time network metrics, such as frame delivery rate, network latency, and estimated available bandwidth, to guarantee user satisfaction. These metrics are part of a comprehensive set we integrated into ALVR to characterize network performance and support the decision-making process of any ABR algorithm, validated through extensive emulated experiments. NeSt-VR is evaluated in both single- and multi-user scenarios, including tests with network capacity fluctuations, user mobility, and co-channel interference. Our results demonstrate that NeSt-VR successfully manages Wi-Fi capacity fluctuations and enhances interactive VR streaming performance in both controlled experiments at UPF's lab and professional tests at CREW's facilities.
title NeSt-VR: An Adaptive Bitrate Algorithm for Virtual Reality Streaming over Wi-Fi
topic Networking and Internet Architecture
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.14947