Fast Index Assignment for balanced N-Description Scalar Quantization

In this paper, we address the design of any number of balanced descriptions using multiple description scalar quantization (MDSQ), based on fast index assignment. The proposed scheme has the advantages of low complexity, and the possibility of being extended easily to any number of descriptions. Unlike existing schemes, it can produce balanced descriptions even at low rate, at the price however of a slightly higher distortion. The behavior of the proposed index assignment at high rate is in the same time similar to state-of-the-art schemes. The proposed scheme offers the possibility to adapt to loss probability, and rate constraints, in playing with both the number of descriptions, and the rate of each of them, to minimize the average distortion.