Predictive directional rectangular zonal search for digital multimedia processor

Abstract

Motion estimation is the biggest part of any video encoding system since it could significantly affect the encoding time and output quality. Until now, several motion estimation algorithms that have the fast motion estimation and a good PSNR are proposed. However these are not considered an embedded system processor using SDRAM as a video frame memory. In this paper, we propose new fast predictive block matching algorithm, named predictive directional rectangular zonal search. Comparing with existing algorithms, it has not only similar output quality, but more efficient operating with SDRAM. It makes possible to design a hardware motion estimator into a compact one. A motion estimation hardware block that is based on the proposed algorithm for H.263 and MPEG-4 video encoder, is implemented by 0.13μm, 1.2 V CMOS technology. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2005.