Comarco Wireless debuts algorithm for real-time video analysis
October 29, 2004
Seven.Five with VQuad, introduced by Comarco Wireless Test Solutions
and SwissQual, is the industry's first comprehensive test system
to provide video measurements/engineering data time synchronization.
Along with the application layer measurements, Seven.Five with VQuad
synchronizes video measurements to real-time engineering measurements
coming from the phone and scanning receiver. This synchronization
makes possible the otherwise impossible task of relating user experience
degradation to the lower layers that supported the call. Whether
it is on the physical layer, the transmission layer or the protocol
layer, Seven.Five is able to efficiently correlate the root cause
to the issue. This unique feature greatly decreases cause-effect
analyses and maximizes troubleshooting efficiency.
Launched by Comarco through its Wireless Test Solutions (WTS) group, in partnership with SwissQual AG of Zuchwil, Switzerland, Seven.Five with VQuad will be used by infrastructure providers and cellular carriers throughout the world, allowing the optimization of video applications on the wireless network. VQuad is based on a perceptual comparison between reference and coded video sequences and provides quality parameters including a Video MOS (Mean Opinion Score) value combined with information such as block distortion, blurring, edge busyness, jerkiness and noise. The related audio quality and video/audio synchronization (lip sync) are also assessed.
VQuad Algorithm is Helping To Define a New ITU Standard
"We are proud to be, in partnership with SwissQual AG, helping to form and define the key performance indicators that are salient in measuring and quantifying video quality," says Greg Maton, senior vice president of Comarco. "SwissQual, which created the VQuad algorithm, is part of the ITU process for standardizing video quality algorithms, and is a leading contributor to many of ITUs technical programs."
VQuad Tests Video Streaming and Video Conferencing
With VQuad, it is now possible to test the wireless performance of popular video streaming applications such as Quick Time, Real Player and Windows Media Player.
As new 3G phones are made available to conduct live video call and conferencing, Seven.Five with VQuad is already capable of testing this value-added feature.
Comarco's unique XP-based SBC (Single-Board Computer) architecture ensures that there is a dedicated computer for each calling module, providing an independent and isolated test platform for each phone. This ensures that the resource-intensive requirements of being able to analyze real-time video quality are fully supported, with no limitations or introductions of artificial degradations. Therefore, multiple phone testing is easily and accurately performed with the peace of mind that the data collected is accurate and precise.
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