Variable length decoding apparatus and method

A variable length decoding apparatus, comprising:

• a first computation unit to
• compare at least one bit of input data and a specific code, and
• detect a symbol corresponding to the input data or look-up table information corresponding to a subgroup that includes the symbol according to whether the symbol is included in an upper level or a lower level of a variable length code tree;
• and
• a second computation unit to detect the symbol by searching a look-up table corresponding to the look-up table information when the look-up table information is received from the first computation unit.

A variable length decoding method, comprising:

• determining whether a symbol corresponding to an input data is included in an upper group or a lower group of a variable length code tree;
• when the symbol is determined to be included in the lower group, detecting look-up table information corresponding to a subgroup including the symbol within the lower group;
• and
• detecting the symbol by searching a look-up table corresponding to the detected look-up table information.