A Wave-guide Model for Packetized Media Streaming in Lossless Networks

Optimal operation of network based multimedia applications requires a precise specification of the network parameters. Different models have been used in the past in calculating the behavior of the network and defining parameters like throughput and delays of packets, using among others fluid analogy. In this paper we extend the bundled packet level perspective towards the macroscopic level of propagation dynamics focusing on the impedance that observed packets experienced during propagation using the analogy of particles propagating in a wave-guide. By defining notions like packet pressure, packet velocity and stream impedance, we define the required frame that allows us to directly use existing methods and equations for the study of streaming networks.