An Efficient Search Algorithm for Motion Estimation

An efficient search algorithm using the principle of Hexagon-Based Search algorithm (HEXBS) for motion estimation called Hexagon-Based Fast Search algorithm (HEXFS) is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm combines the hexagon search algorithm and a two-step search algorithm which uses cross search patterns to reduce the huge calculation complexity. The experimental results show that the search points’ improvement ratio of the modified search algorithm can be as high as almost 70% comparing with Unsymmetrical-Cross Multi-Hexagon-Grid Search (UMHexagonS). In short, the proposed algorithm can find the same motion vector (MV) with fewer search points than which are obtained by UMHexagonS. Keywords— Motion estimation, hexagon-based search, cross search patterns, motion vector.