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3GPP MULTIMEDIA CODECS

SYSTEMS AND SERVICES

by Frédéric Gabin, 3GPP Working Group SA4 Chair

3GPP TSG SA WG4 (SA4) is responsible for the specification 3GPP TS 26.512 specifies the delivery protocols, exposed REST APIs
of codecs for speech, audio, video, graphics and other media and the means to leverage 5G functionalities. TS 26.511 specifies further
types related to traditional and emerging media services such as client media content interfaces in the client as well as the 5GMS client
extended reality (XR) and online gaming, as well as the system requirements for media codecs. The codec and format recommendations
and delivery aspects of such content. defined for each profile apply to the 5GMS client components in the User
Equipment (UE) as well as the Media Application Server (AS). Profiles are
SA4 is defining the content formats and delivery protocols defined to address specific service scenarios. A default profile is defined in
as well as associated quality assessments, metrics and the case no other profile is claimed to be supported. 5G Media Streaming
requirements for broad range of scenarios:
protocols and formats are based on the Common Media Application
• Unicast streaming; Format (CMAF).
• Multicast and broadcast streaming;
• Cloud and edge computing architectures; EVS codec enhancements
• Media APIs; Rel-16 saw the introduction of the alternative fixed-point Enhanced Voice
• Media handling in multimedia telephony; Services (EVS) codec reference implementation, using updated basic
• Terminal acoustics requirements and performance testing; operators (TS 26.452). The EVS codec is at the heart of HD Voice+ services
• End-to-end service performance; for VoLTE and 5G Voice. This new code enables more efficient processing
• Objective and subjective quality testing; and improves battery life by leveraging modern DSP architectures.
• Quality of experience (QoE) metrics; Release-17 and beyond – 5G Media enhancements
• Collection of traffic characteristics for 3GPP network The ongoing Rel-17 study and normative work is focused on the following
optimization; areas with a foreseeable target completion in March 2022:
• Reporting and data collection for all services involving
media aspects; • Video coding: Currently specified video codecs (H.264/AVC and H.265/
• Use of artificial intelligence and machine learning models HEVC) are being characterized over 5G scenarios as a preparation for
for multimedia. Next Generation Video coding for 5G. We also plan the addition of 8K
Virtual Reality 360° Video profiles.
• Terminal acoustic testing: Testing for handsets featuring “non-
The completion of Release-16 work in June 2020 has laid down
solid 5G Media foundations. Among the many features in the traditional” earpieces (e.g. vibrating display) and extensions of current
release, I would highlight two major enhancements developed tests to the electrical headset interface of UEs are being specified.
and spearheaded: • XR services: Collection of various XR use cases have been performed
and identification of XR-based services typical traffic characteristics
5G Media Streaming (5GMS) architecture, protocols is ongoing; Glass-based Augmented Reality is studied, and Immersive
and codecs Teleconferencing and Telepresence for Remote Terminals is being
specified.
The 5GMS supported services include Mobile Network Operator • Extensions of 5G Media Streaming are studied: 5G multicast and
(MNO) and third-party Downlink Media Streaming Services and broadcast support, Cloud and Edge Media processing, Content
MNO and third-party Uplink Media Streaming Services. The Preparation, Traffic Identification, Background traffic, Content Aware
5GMS architecture is functionally divided into independent Streaming, Network Event usage, Per-application-authorization and
components enabling different deployment and collaboration Support for encrypted and high-value content.
scenarios with various degrees of integration between 5G MNOs • Speech & Audio coding: New codec selection work is planned for an EVS
and Content Providers.
Codec Extension for Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS), this
work is planned to complete in August 2022. Related specification work
for Terminal Audio quality performance and Test methods for Immersive
Audio Services will follow in a
next step.
SA4 Terms of Reference, contact information, calendar, links to Technical
Specifications, Reports and Meeting documents are all publicly available at
https://www.3gpp.org/Specifications-groups/sa-plenary/55-sa4-codec.

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Issue 02 - March 2021 07