Single chip motion estimator for video codec applications

Motion estimation is a key function in a video codec intended for use with low bit rate data transmission. Motion compensated codecs have received much attention in the literature recently since they provide a means by which high picture quality can be achieved with an economic bandwidth. This paper describes a single chip video picture motion estimator that operates upon a CIF specification video frame and provides motion vectors for (8*8) pixel blocks for displacements of up to +or-16 pixels and which can be cascaded for (16*16) block operation. The very close match between function, algorithm and architecture has allowed significant processing power to be implemented on a single chip.<
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