A compact motion estimator with a simplified vector search strategy maintaining encoded picture quality
Naoya Hayashi, Toshiaki Kitsuki, T. Shiraishi, T. Yokoyama, Katsunari Oobuchi, Y. Ooi, Sota Ikegami, Naoya Tokuda, H. Honma, Ichiro Tamitani, Takashi Miyazaki, Y. Miyamoto, M. Ohta · 2002
A compact motion estimator employing a simplified two-step full-search strategy has been proposed. In the first step, 2-pel precision motion vectors are obtained using 4-to-1 subsampling with a LPF. In the second step, half-pel precision vectors are obtained. The strategy reduces the number of operations and memory access cycles to 1/11 and 1/2, respectively, while maintaining encoded picture quality within 0.2 dB differences in SNRs. Using this estimator, a bidirectional motion compensation LSI with a -16.0/+15.5 pels search range has been developed for real-time MPEG1 video encoding.