Method and apparatus for motion compensated interpolation

Abstract

For motion compensated interpolation (MCI) with sub-pixel accuracy, the missing pixels need to be interpolated prior to the motion compensation. The required pixel values are stored using line and pixel delays. A switch matrix selects, in response to a motion vector, such stored pixels which are currently needed for the processing. In order to avoid sub-pixel MCI, the interpolation is carried out prior to the motion compensation. In order to avoid an increased input data rate of the motion compensation circuitry, only a standard switch matrix is used. A special arrangement of delays storing pixel values needed for the processing is used to extend the standard delay array. Because an increased number of pixels is involved, an improved sub-pixel MCI can be achieved. This is because such a delay extension does not significantly affect the decoded picture quality even if adjacent motion vectors do not exactly match the current motion vector.

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