VLSI architectures for discrete wavelet transforms

A folded architecture and a digit-serial architecture are proposed for implementation of one- and two-dimensional discrete wavelet transforms. In the one-dimensional folded architecture, the computations of all wavelet levels are folded to the same low-pass and high-pass filters. The number of registers in the folded architecture is minimized by the use of a generalized life time analysis. The converter units are synthesized with a minimum number of registers using forward-backward allocation. The advantage of the folded architecture is low latency and its drawbacks are increased hardware area, less than 100% hardware utilization, and the complex routing and interconnection required by the converters used. These drawbacks are eliminated in the alternate digit-serial architecture at the expense of an increase in the system latency and some constraints on the wordlength. In latency-critical applications, the use of the folded architecture is suggested. If latency is not so critical, the digit-serial architecture should be used. The use of a combined folded and digit-serial architecture is proposed for implementation of two-dimensional discrete wavelet transforms.<>