Highly parallel fractional motion estimation engine for Super Hi-Vision 4k×4k@60fps

One Super Hi-Vision (SHV) 4k times 4k @60 fps fractional motion estimation (FME) engine is proposed in our paper. Firstly, two complexity reduction schemes are proposed in the algorithm level. By analyzing the integer motion cost, 48% clock cycle is saved based on our mode pre-filtering scheme. By further check the motion cost of neighboring search points, our directional one-pass scheme can achieve reduction of 50% clock cycle and 36% hardware cost. Secondly, in the hardware level, two parallel improved schemes namely 16-Pel interpolation and MB-parallel processing are given out. Thirdly, one unified pixel block loading scheme is proposed. About 28.67% to 80.68% pixels are reused and the related memory access is saved. Furthermore, one parity pixel organization scheme is proposed to solve memory access conflict of MB-parallel processing. By using TSMC 0.18 mum technology in worst work conditions (1.62 V, 125degC), our FME engine can achieve real-time processing for SHV 4ktimes4k@60fps with 976.5 k gates hardware.