A self-timed ICT chip for image coding

This paper describes an asynchronous one-dimensional order-8 integer cosine transform chip, which can calculate either the forward or inverse transforms. The chip's performance is maximized with a fast computation algorithm and the self-timed circuit technique. The basic self-timed block is a microcoded programmable processor. Eight of these processors are used and achieve a data rate of up to 50 MHz in 0.7-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. If the delay in the handshake circuit can be minimized, the design suggests that asynchronous techniques are a feasible alternative to synchronous designs.