200 Mbit/s 4-symbol arithmetic encoder architecture for embedded zero tree-based compression

In state-of-the-art multimedia compression standards, arithmetic coding is widely used as a powerful entropy compression method. In the MPEG-4 standard a specific 4-symbol, multiple-context arithmetic coder is used for wavelet based image compression. We present an architecture capable of processing close to 1 symbol per cycle, managing a multiple context in a simple, yet cost-efficient manner. A peak performance of 200 Mbit/s is achieved when clocking this architecture at 100 MHz.