Motion estimation apparatus and method for moving picture coding

Abstract

Provided is a motion estimation apparatus for moving picture coding. The apparatus includes a 1-pel buffer for storing 1-pel unit pixels using luminance signals of a reference frame which correspond to macroblocks of a current frame, a 1-pel estimator for calculating 1-pel unit motion vectors and minimum costs in correspondence to the macroblocks of the current frame and the pixels stored in the 1-pel buffer, a ½-pel interpolator for performing ½-pel unit interpolation using the pixels stored in the 1-pel buffer, a ½-pel buffer for storing the ½-pel unit interpolated pixels, a ½-pel estimator for calculating ½-pel unit motion vectors and minimum costs in correspondence to the pixels stored in the ½-pel buffer, the values calculated by the 1-pel estimator, and the macroblocks of the current frame, a ¼-pel interpolator for performing ¼-pel unit interpolation using the pixels stored in the ½-pel and 1-pel buffers, a ¼-pel buffer for storing the ¼-pel unit interpolated pixels, and a ¼-pel estimator for calculating ¼-pel unit motion vectors and minimum costs in correspondence to the pixels stored in the ¼-pel buffer, the values calculated by the ½-pel estimator, and the macroblocks of the current frame.