Parallelization of the H.261 video coding algorithm on the IBM SP2(R) multiprocessor system

In this paper, the parallelization of the H.261 video coding algorithm on the IBM SP2 multiprocessor system is described. Based on domain decomposition as a framework, data partitioning, data dependencies and communication issues are carefully assessed. From these, two parallel algorithms were developed. The first one maximizes processor utilization and the second one minimizes communications. Our analysis shows that the first algorithm exhibits poor scalability and high communication overhead; and the second algorithm exhibits good scalability and low communication overhead. A best median speed up of 13.72 or 11 frames/sec was achieved on 24 processors.