Inter-layer correlation-based adaptive bit allocation for enhancement layer in scalable high efficiency video coding

To facilitate the diversity of network and end-user devices, bit allocation technology must be combined with scalable high efficiency video coding (SHVC) to achieve continuous bitrate variation. However, to date, the multilayer coding feature in SHVC has not been fully utilized. In this paper, a bit allocation algorithm is proposed for the enhancement layer in SHVC. The algorithm includes two parts: a bit allocation method for the initial frame and another for subsequent frames. The bit allocation method for the initial frame consists of a bit allocation factor model constructed based on investigation of the influence of the initial target bitrate on the overall coding performance. For the bit allocation of the subsequent frames, alternate GOP coding is designed and implemented to fully exploit the inter layer correlation. In addition, an adaptive frame layer bit allocation ratio model is deduced according to the rate distortion optimization theory. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can improve PSNR by 0.44 dB and 0.41 dB under low delay and randomaccess configurations, respectively, and achieve high bitrate control accuracy. The algorithm also outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms in term of PSNR improvement.

Automated summary

In this paper, a bit allocation algorithm is proposed for the enhancement layer in SHVC, which aims to improve video coding performance by optimizing bit allocation for both initial and subsequent frames. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of PSNR improvement and bitrate control accuracy.