Architecture for Analog Variable Block-Size Motion Estimation

A variable block-size analog motion estimation architecture is presented. The advantage of analog motion estimation is that it can be realized in connection with a sensor array. The reference data is stored within the processing array, and thus the memory transfers associated with digital realizations are not required. The architecture is capable of performing motion estimation with all of the seven different block sizes used in state-of-the-art video standards, such as H.264. By using a deep-submicron process, a novel interconnect strategy with 30 connections per cell has been developed. This interconnect strategy enables connecting the various block sizes. Also introduced is a analog motion estimation cell which is more robust against analog inaccuracies than previous implementations. Further, additional computational elements can be added so that the array can determine a block-size partition without the need for an initial search or Lagrange estimation.