Unified Video Decoder Architecture for Multi-Standard Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video decoders require dedicated hardware for each video encoding standard, increasing costs and limiting their ability to decode video data encoded with multiple standards.
Innovation Solution
A unified decoder architecture that includes a video decoder, instruction memory, and a host processor, which executes specific sets of instructions based on the detected encoding standard, allowing it to decode video data encoded with various standards like MPEG-2, DV-25, and MPEG-4 using common and unique firmware portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated hardware is used for each encoding standard, then decoding capability for each standard is ensured, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video decoder is designed with a unified architecture that can decode multiple encoding standards (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DV-25) using a single hardware platform. The decoder executes different sets of instructions stored in instruction memory based on the detected encoding standard, allowing one device to perform multiple decoding functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each standard.
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware is used for each encoding standard, then decoding accuracy is maintained, but hardware resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single video decoder hardware resource is designed to handle multiple encoding standards through instruction-based control. The decoder contains instruction memory that stores different sets of instructions for different standards, and a control unit that selects and executes the appropriate instruction set based on the encoding standard detected in the video data, thereby maintaining decoding accuracy while reducing hardware resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The video decoder employs dynamic instruction selection where the decoding process adapts to different encoding standards by loading and executing appropriate instruction sets from instruction memory. The control unit dynamically determines which instruction set to use based on the encoding standard detection, allowing the same hardware to flexibly handle multiple standards without requiring static dedicated hardware for each.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated hardware components are added, then support for multiple encoding standards is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video decoder implements a universal decoding architecture that supports multiple encoding standards (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DV-25) through a single integrated hardware platform. The system includes instruction memory storing multiple instruction sets and a control unit that selects the appropriate instruction set based on the detected encoding standard, thereby achieving multi-standard support without adding multiple dedicated hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple decoding capabilities into a single unified video decoder hardware unit. Instead of having separate dedicated hardware for each encoding standard, the design merges all decoding functions into one processor that executes different instruction sets from instruction memory, reducing device complexity while maintaining support for multiple standards.
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein is a unified decoder architecture. A system comprises a video decoder, instruction memory, and a host processor. The video decoder decodes the video data encoded with the particular standard. The instruction memory stores a first set of instructions and a second set of instructions. The first set of instructions are for decoding encoded video data according to a first encoding standard. The second set of instruction are for decoding encoded video data according to a second encoding standard. The host processor provides an indication to the video decoder indicating the particular encoding standard. The video decoder executes the first set of instructions if the indication indicates that the particular encoding standard is the first encoding standard and executes the second set of instructions if the indication indicates that the particular encoding standard is the second encoding standard.