Encoding data arrays

An apparatus for encoding an array of data elements, or a stream of such arrays, the apparatus comprising an encoder comprising:

• an encoding circuit operable to, when encoding an array of data elements, or a stream of such arrays, encode the array(s) of data elements as a plurality of independent segments, wherein each independent segment can be decoded independently;
• an output circuit operable to output an encoded data stream including the plurality of independent segments;
• and
• a header generating circuit operable to generate a header for output with an encoded data stream, the header containing information indicative of the location of each of the plurality of independent segments within the encoded data stream,
• wherein the encoding circuit is configured to, when encoding a data array, or stream of data arrays:
• divide the data array(s) into a plurality of independent segments;
• allocate a respective output buffer, or portion of an output buffer, for each of the plurality of independent segments;
• and
• write the encoded data for each independent segment to the respective allocated output buffer or buffer portion to generate the data stream for output.

A method for encoding an array of data elements, or a stream of such arrays, the method comprising a step of:

• encoding the array(s) as a plurality of independent segments, wherein each independent segment can be decoded independently,
• wherein the encoding comprises steps of:
• allocating an output buffer for the encoded data stream;
• passing a plurality of data elements associated with an independent segment in parallel to a plurality of processing cores;
• passing the encoded data from each processing core to an internal buffer;
• when all of the encoded data for an independent segment is present in the internal buffer, stitching the encoded data for that independent segment together in order;
• and
• writing the stitched independent segment to the output buffer;
• the method further comprising steps of:
• outputting an encoded data stream including the plurality of independent segments;
• generating a header for output with the data stream, the header containing information indicative of the location of each of the plurality of independent segments within the data stream;
• and
• outputting the header with the encoded data stream.

A method for encoding an array of data elements, or a stream of such arrays, the method comprising a step of:

• encoding the array(s) as a plurality of independent segments, wherein each independent segment can be decoded independently,
• wherein the encoding comprises steps of:
• dividing the data array(s) into a plurality of independent segments;
• allocating a respective output buffer, or portion of an output buffer, for each of the plurality of independent segments;
• and
• writing the encoded data for each independent segment to the respective allocated output buffer or buffer portion to generate the data stream for output,
• the method further comprising steps of:
• outputting an encoded data stream including the plurality of independent segments;
• generating a header for output with the data stream, the header containing information indicative of the location of each of the plurality of independent segments within the data stream;
• and
• outputting the header with the encoded data stream.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing software code that when executed on a data processor performs a method of encoding an array of data elements, or a stream of such arrays, the method comprising steps of:

• encoding the array(s) as a plurality of independent segments, wherein each independent segment can be decoded independently;
• outputting an encoded data stream including the plurality of independent segments;
• generating a header for output with the data stream, the header containing information indicative of the location of each of the plurality of independent segments within the data stream;
• and
• outputting the header with the encoded data stream,
• (i) wherein the encoding comprises steps of:
• allocating an output buffer for the encoded data stream;
• passing a plurality of data elements associated with an independent segment in parallel to a plurality of processing cores;
• passing the encoded data from each processing core to an internal buffer;
• when all of the encoded data for an independent segment is present in the internal buffer, stitching the encoded data for that independent segment together in order;
• and
• writing the stitched independent segment to the output buffer;
• or
• (ii) wherein the encoding comprises steps of:
• dividing the data array(s) into a plurality of independent segments;
• allocating a respective output buffer, or portion of an output buffer, for each of the plurality of independent segments;
• and
• writing the encoded data for each independent segment to the respective allocated output buffer or buffer portion to generate the data stream for output.