Motion refinement engine for use in video encoding in accordance with a plurality of sub-pixel resolutions and methods for use therewith

A method for use in a video encoding device for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks, the method comprising:

• generating, via the video encoding device, a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macro blocks;
• generating, via the video encoding device, a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of sub blocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, and based on a plurality of selected modes including a first mode corresponding to a first sub-pixel resolution and a second mode corresponding to a second sub-pixel resolution;
• selecting, via the video encoding device, a selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks;
• determining, via the video encoding device, a final motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks;
• and generating, via the video encoding device, residual pixel values corresponding to a final motion vector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks:
• wherein the step of generating a refined motion vector generates a plurality of sub-pixel costs surrounding a first pixel, based on pixels in a row above the first pixel and a row below the first pixel, and wherein the motion refinement module stores at least one of the plurality of sub-pixel costs surrounding a selected pixel for later processing of the cost associated with a second pixel in the row below the first pixel.

A system for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks, the system comprising:

• a video encoder that generates a processed video signal from video signal, the video encoder having a motion compensation module that includes:
• a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks;
• a motion refinement module, coupled to the motion search module, that generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of sub blocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macro block of the plurality of macroblocks;
• a mode decision module, coupled to the motion refinement module, that selects a selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, and that determines a final motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks;
• and a reconstruction module, coupled to the mode decision module, that generates residual pixel values corresponding to a final motion vector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks;
• wherein the motion refinement module operates in a plurality of selected modes including a first mode corresponding to a first sub-pixel resolution and a second mode corresponding to a second sub-pixel resolution;
• wherein the motion refinement module generates a plurality of sub-pixel costs surrounding a first pixel, based on pixels in a row above the first pixel and a row below the first pixel, and wherein the motion refinement module stores at least one of the plurality of sub-pixel costs surrounding a selected pixel for later processing of the cost associated with a second pixel in the row below the first pixel.