A vector quantizer for the Laplace source

The low complexity, nearly optimal vector quantizer (VQ) is a generalization of T. R. Fischer´s (1986) pyramid VQ and is similar in structure to the unrestricted polar quantizers previously presented for the independent Gaussian source. An analysis of performance is presented with results for both the product code pyramid VQ and the unrestricted version. This analysis, although asymptotic in nature, helps to demonstrate the performance advantages of the VQ. Implementation issues of the VQ are discussed. Nonasymptotic results are considered. In particular, the author presents an approximate design algorithm for finite bit rate and demonstrates the usefulness of this VQ through several example designs with Monte Carlo simulations of performance. For the restricted form (the pyramid VQ), the author provides further implementational information and low dimension analytical results