High throughput and low memory access sub-pixel interpolation architecture for H.264/AVC HDTV decoder

In this paper, we proposed parallel and pipeline architecture for the sub-pixel interpolation filter in H.264/AVC conformed HDTV decoder. To efficiently use the bus bandwidth, we bring forward three memory access optimization strategies to avoid redundant data transfer and improve data bus utilization. To improve the processing throughput, we use parallel and multi-stage pipeline architecture for conducting data transmission and interpolation filtering in parallel. Moreover, to balance the tradeoff between memory accessing scheme and sub-pixel interpolation processing granularity we devise a dedicated buffer organization to convert tree-structured block size reading to fixable and sequential processing. As compared to the traditional designs, our scheme offers 60% reduced memory data transfer. While clocking at 66 MHz, our design can support 1280 × 720 @30 Hz processing throughput. The proposed design is suitable for low cost and real-time applications. Moreover, it can easily be applied in system-on-chip design.