MPEG/H256 video encoder with 6T/8T hybrid memory architecture for high quality output at lower supply

The use of Multimedia video content is increased rapidly in the past decade, and most multimedia video content is used by mobile phone users. Multimedia video processing consumes significant power during video compression, and thus low power multimedia video compression is essential for battery operated devices. Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Video encoding is giving a higher compression rate and low bandwidth requirement. Conventional MPEG Video encoding architecture uses the conventional 6T memory cells to store video frames for further compression processing. The failure probability of 6T cells is significantly large (0.0988 at 600 mV supply voltage), leading to a decrease in the output quality of the encoded video. From the hybrid memory matrix formulation, it is calculated that storing higher-order MSB bits in highly stable memory cells will provide high-quality video encoding processing as compared to the conventional technique because the human eye is more susceptible to higher-order luminance bits. Hence, in this research work instant of using conventional 6T memory cells during video encoding processing, a unique Hybrid 6T/8T memory architecture is proposed, where the 8-bit Luminance pixels are stored favourably in consonance with their effect on the output quality. The higher order luminance bits (MSB’s) require high stability and thus these bits are stored in the 8T bit cells and the remaining bits (LSB’s) are stored in the conventional 6T bit cells for high-quality video encoding processing. This research article also proposes a separate memory peripheral circuitry for hybrid memory architecture for video encoding techniques. In addition, this article proposes a unique architecture for parallel video processing with the use of a hybrid pixel memory array. The failure probability of 6T and 8T at the worst failure corner (FS corner for read and SF corner for write) is simulated for 30000 Monte-Carlo simulations points at 45 nm CMOS technology node using CADENCE EDA tool. For the simulation work here, a standard Common Intermediate Format/Quarter Common Intermediate Format (CIF/QCIF) Coastguard video sample is used and for output quality here average PSNR method is used and simulation work is performed using the MATLAB tool.

The worst PSNR for conventional 6T memory array and Hybrid memory array at 600 mV supply voltage shows improvement in worst minimum PSNR as 6.43 dB is calculated. 30% less power consumption to conventional memory architecture.