Scalable rank filter

A processor comprising:

• an interface to receive image data;
• an image processing pipeline coupled to the interface, the image processing pipeline having a rank filter for use in noise reduction, the rank filter comprising
• a W staged pipeline with W stages to receive N input data samples and operable to generate an output representing a median of the N input data samples as a result of the W stages completing execution, where W is a bit length of the inputs and W and N are integers greater than two;
• and
• output logic coupled to the W staged pipeline to determine the median prior to all W stages completing execution and to output the median.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a W staged pipeline with W stages of a bit pipelined rank filter, N input data samples, where W is a bit length of the inputs and W and N are integers greater than two;
• tracking a plurality of flags associated with the N input data samples, wherein one of the plurality of flags is associated with one of the N input data samples;
• and
• generating an output associated with the N input data samples as a result of completing execution of the W stages or based on the plurality of flags prior to all W stages completing execution.