Efficient VLSI architecture of CAVLC decoder with power optimized

Abstract

This paper presents an efficient VLSI architecture of the contest-based adaptive variable length code (CAVLC) decoder with power optimized for the H.264/advanced video coding (AVC) standard. In the proposed design, according to the regularity of the codewords, the first one detector is used to solve the low efficiency and high power dissipation problem within the traditional method of table-searching. Considering the relevance of the data used in the process of runbefore’s decoding, arithmetic operation is combined with finite state machine (FSM), which achieves higher decoding efficiency. According to the CAVLC decoding flow, clock gating is employed in the module level and the register level respectively, which reduces 43% of the overall dynamic power dissipation. The proposed design can decode every syntax element in one clock cycle. When the proposed design is synthesized at the clock constraint of 100 MHz, the synthesis result shows that the design costs 11 300 gates under a 0.25 µm CMOS technology, which meets the demand of real time decoding in the H.264/AVC standard.