Skip to main content
Springer Nature Link
Log in

Low bit depth representation motion estimation algorithms: a comparative study

  • Survey Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Real-Time Image Processing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A comparative study of low complexity motion estimation algorithms is presented. The algorithms included in the study are the 1-bit transform, the 2-bit transform, the constrained 1-bit transform and the multiplication free 1-bit transform which are using different motion estimation strategies compared to standard exhaustive search algorithm-mean absolute difference or similar combinations. These techniques provide better performance in terms of computational load compared to traditional algorithms. Although the accuracy of motion compensation is only slightly lower comparing to the other techniques, results in terms of objective quality (peak signal-to-noise ratio) and entropy are comparable. This fact, nominates them as suitable candidates for inclusion in embedded devices applications where lower complexity translates to lower power consumption and consequently improved device autonomy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

1BT:

1-bit transform

2BT:

2-bit transform

C-1BT:

Constrained 1-bit transform

ESA:

Exhaustive search algorithm

MAD:

Mean absolute difference

MSE:

Mean square error

MF-1BT:

Multiplication free 1-bit transform

PSNR:

Peak signal-to-noise ratio

References

  1. Kuhn, P.M.: Algorithms, Complexity Analysis and VLSI Architectures for MPEG-4 Motion Estimation. Kluwer, Norwell (1999)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  2. Fotopoulos, V., Skodras, A. N.: sMAE: an improved block matching criterion. In: Proceedings of the Fifth IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems (ICECS‘98), vol. 3, pp. 519–522, Lisbon, Portugal, 7–10 Sept 1998

  3. Huang, Y.-U., Chen, C.-Y., Tsai, C.-H., Shen, C.-F., Chen, L.-G.: Survey on block matching motion estimation algorithms and architectures with new results. J. VLSI Signal Process. 42(3), 297–320 (2006)

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. Koga, T., Linuma, K., Hirano, A., Lijima, Y., Ishiguro, T.: Motion-compensated interframe coding for video conferencing. In: Proceedings of NTC’81, pp. G5.3.1–G5.3.5 (1981)

  5. Ghanbari, M.: The cross-search algorithm for motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Commun. 38(7), 950–953 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Li, R., Zeng, B., Liou, M.L.: A new three-step search algorithm for block motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 4(4), 438–442 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Po, L.M., Ma, W.C.: A novel four-step search algorithm for fast block motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 6(3), 313–317 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhu, S., Ma, K.K.: A new diamond search algorithm for fast block-matching motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Image Process. 9(2), 287–290 (2000)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  9. Bhaskaran, V., Konstantinides, K.: Image and Video Compression Standards: Algorithms and Architectures. Kluwer, Norwell (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Choi, K.T., Chan, S.C., Ng, T.S.: A new fast motion estimation algorithm using hexagonal subsampling pattern and multiple candidates search. Proc. Int. Conf. Image Process. 2, 497–500 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Liu, B., Zaccarin, A.: New fast algorithms for the estimation of block motion vectors. IEEE Trans. Circuits. Syst. Video Technol. 3(2), 148–157 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Wang, Y., Wang, Y., Kuroda, H.: A globally adaptive pixel-decimation algorithm for block–motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 10(6), 1006–1011 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Kim, J., Choi, T.: A fast full-search motion-estimation algorithm using representative pixels and adaptive matching scan. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 10(7), 1040–1048 (2000)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  14. Natarajan, B., Bhaskaran, V., Konstantinides, K.: Low-complexity block-based motion estimation via one-bit transforms. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 7(4), 702–706 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Urhan, O., Erturk, S.: Constrained one-bit transform for low complexity block motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 17(4), 478–482 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Erturk, S.: Multiplication-free one-bit transform for low-complexity block-based motion estimation. IEEE Signal Process. Lett. 14(2), 109–112 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Erturk, A., Erturk, S.: Two-bit transform for binary block motion estimation. IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Technol. 15(7), 938–946 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hu, W., Zhang, Q.: H.264 motion estimation algorithm based on video sequences activity. J. Electron. (China) 28(1), 125–128 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the European Union—European Social Fund (75%), the Greek Government—Ministry of Development—General Secretariat of Research and Technology (25%) and the Private Sector in the frames of the European Competitiveness Programme (Third Community Support Framework, Measure 8.3, programme ÐÅÍÅÄ, contract no. 03ÅÄ832).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digital Systems and Media Computing Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, Hellenic Open University, 13-15 Tsamadou st., 26222, Patras, Greece

    Athanasios Vlachos, Vassilis Fotopoulos & Athanassios N. Skodras

Authors
  1. Athanasios Vlachos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vassilis Fotopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Athanassios N. Skodras
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Athanasios Vlachos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vlachos, A., Fotopoulos, V. & Skodras, A.N. Low bit depth representation motion estimation algorithms: a comparative study. J Real-Time Image Proc 5, 141–148 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11554-009-0130-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11554-009-0130-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation