Bit allocation for neural network feature channel compression

An apparatus for decoding two or more feature channels of a neural network from a bitstream, the apparatus comprising:

• a memory configured to store instructions;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to:
• for each feature channel,
• determine one or more encoding parameters based on the bitstream;
• and
• decode from the bitstream the feature channel based on the determined one or more encoding parameters;
• wherein the encoding parameters differs for at least two among the two or more feature channels.

A method for encoding two or more feature channels of a neural network into a bitstream, wherein the method is applied to an encoding apparatus and comprises:

• for each of the two or more feature channels,
• determining importance of the two or more feature channels;
• selecting one or more encoding parameters for the feature channel according to the determined importance;
• and
• encoding the feature channel into the bitstream according to the selected one or more encoding parameters,
• wherein the determined importance differs for at least two feature channels among the two or more feature channels.

A method for decoding two or more feature channels of a neural network from a bitstream, wherein the method is applied to a decoding apparatus and comprises:

• for each feature channel,
• determining one or more encoding parameters based on the bitstream;
• and
• decoding from the bitstream the feature channel based on the determined one or more encoding parameters,
• wherein the encoding parameters differs for at least two among the two or more feature channels.