The ADAMANTIUM project proposes an innovative IMS-compatible Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS) focused on performing a dynamic cross layer adaptation for the optimization of the user experience in terms of the delivered PQoS level for IPTV and VoIP services– two of the most important multimeda services with the potential to create significant wealth for Europe. This multimodal management system will be applied in an integrated and coherent way across all the network layers and delivery-chain nodes based on a user/customer-centric approach rather than the traditional network QoS-oriented one. Towards this, the proposed management system will make use of advanced IMS-compatible PQoS and NQoS monitoring and adaptation mechanisms across the network delivery-chain, thereby significantly enhancing the current IMS management functions by providing necessary perceptual awareness capability. Novel perceptual mapping frameworks between the NQoS-related monitored parameters and the delivered PQoS level will be researched for both IPTV (live IPTV and VoD) and VoIP (voice/video call) services. Based on the monitoring data, a decision engine will initiate a dynamic cross layer adaptation procedure, which will extend from the service generation entity to the user terminals. MCMS will be implemented and demonstrated on a real IMS platform installed over a UMTS access network, where VoIP-based applications and IPTV over IMS services will be integrated and demonstrated.

Next figure depicts the overall architecture of ADAMANTIUM project (click to enlarge):

The key elements to be considered are:

• The ADAMANTIUM Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS) Module, which is the main project entity and  focuses on monitoring the network and service statistics in order to define and apply an optimal cross layer adaptation across the delivery network chain. 
• The ADAMANTIUM Multimedia Server and Resource Function (MSRF), which is an IMS-based MRF module, for multimedia (e.g., VoIP and IPTV) service generation, monitoring and adaptation according to the MCMS commands.
•  An IP Core – DiffServ/MPLS Compatible Transport Network.
• The UMTS/MBMS Access Network.
• The ADAMANTIUM Terminal Adaptation Module (TAM).

The main goal of ADAMANTIUM is to develop a novel IMS-compatible user-centric Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS) that controls/optimises the end-to-end PQoS for new and emerging multimedia services (e.g. VoIP and IPTV) by exploiting cross-layer PQoS-aware control mechanisms.

The idea of ADAMANTIUM is to move away from typical NQoS oriented control/optimisation approaches towards pioneering user-centric, PQoS-oriented management mechanisms that achieve user satisfaction maximization for multimedia services.

Specific objectives of the project are: 

• Objective 1: To design, develop and demonstrate a fully operational IMS platform, featuring user-centric and PQoS-aware management potentials through ADAMANTIUM Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS).
• Objective 2: To design and develop an innovative IMS-based Multimedia Content Management System (MCMS).
• Objective 3: To design and develop a  PQoS-aware intelligent tool for multimedia mobile terminal/handset with an integrated Terminal Adaptation Module (TAM) and the multimedia application (media) server with IMS MRF functionalities (i.e. MSRF). 
• Objective 4: To design and develop PQoS-aware and MCMS compatible policy mechanisms at the core and access network.
• Objective 5: To develop, evaluate and demonstrate VoIP and IPTV services within IMS infrastructure.