We consider the problem of transmitting compressed still images over lossy channels. In particular, we examine the situation where the data stream is partitioned into two independent channels, as is often considered in the multiple descriptions approach to image compression. We introduce a coder design called smoothed descriptions, which matches a data partitioning method utilized at the encoder to the error concealment technique employed at the decoder. This approach has the advantage of inserting minimal overhead into the transmitted data streams, so that system performance is undiminished when there are no packet losses over the channel. We show that, by using a combination of DC averaging and maximal smoothing to conceal errors, performance comparable to or better than multiple descriptions can be achieved for packet loss rates up to 5%. By adding a feedback loop that requests retransmission of important data, we also demonstrate the need to exploit latency whenever possible.
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