Power Savings in FPGA Video Compression Systems through Intra Prediction Result Reuse

A novel algorithm is proposed to reduce the power used performing the motion estimation and reference frame loading operations required by a video encoder. The algorithm uses the results of the intra prediction encoding stage to determine the data propagation direction which minimises the data's transition activity. A motion estimation architecture which can adaptively change the direction data is propagated through it is proposed and the power saved using the algorithm is estimated. Results are given showing a power saving of upto 8%.