VLSI macro cell for edge-preserving noise smoothing and deblocking in low-power video communications

A VLSI macro cell for edge-preserving noise reduction and deblocking in low-power video communications is proposed. Based on a non-linear rational operator the filter is enhanced by a noise estimator which adapts the filtering coefficients according to the input signal statistics. Realized in a 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology the architecture minimizes power consumption in the order of few mW while keeping real-time processing for main video formats.