Summary

Streaming media services (think Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify) offer reliability with massive scale (they can stream to millions of users at relatively low cost) but end up with high latency. Real time collaboration services (think Webex, Zoom) offer low latency (these are highly interactive) but don’t scale as well (cost per sub is *much* higher than streaming services). Some recent developments aim to offer the best of both worlds: low latency (and interactivity) *and* high scale (low cost) allowing the application to adjust the tradeoff between one extreme or the other or anywhere in between. One such technology is MoQ (media over QUIC) utilizing a publish/subscribe architecture over the QUIC protocol in a way that is CDN friendly

Research Desired

Cisco is soliciting research proposals towards studying these next generation low latency, scalable media delivery services. These are complex technologies with dynamics that must be examined carefully. Specific topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• Impact of MoQ (and/or similar technologies) on congestion control, priorities and response at CDNs
• Characterization of QUIC priority schemes
• Quantification of end to end latency for QUIC streams over QUIC data grams
• Impact of dramatically changing network conditions

The results of these investigations will be published to standards bodies (e.g. IETF) and aid in the standardization effort.

Proposal Submission:

After a preliminary review, we may ask you to revise and resubmit your proposal.

RFPs may be withdrawn as research proposals are funded, or interest in the specific topic is satisfied.

Researchers should plan to submit their proposals as soon as possible.

General Requirements for Consideration, Proposal Details, FAQs

You can find the information by scrolling down to the bottom of the webpage: Research Gifts. If your questions are not answered in the FAQs, please contact research@cisco.com.