Variable-length code decoder

摘要

A variable-length code decoder includes plural barrel shifters, each of which executes shift processing on inputted variable-length code data bit by bit from the 0 bit to (the bit number of a maximum length codeword -1). The barrel shifters, which are in number equal to the bit number of the maximum length codeword, are arranged in parallel connection. Plural storing devices are provided, each of which stores a pair of a decoded symbol and codeword length thereof corresponding to code data. Plural fetching devices are provided, each of which fetches the pair of the decoded symbol and the codeword length thereof in accordance with the code data outputted from each of the barrel shifters. Each of the fetching devices is connected to a respective barrel shifter and storing devices. A selecting device is provided for selecting a predetermined pair from plural pairs of the decoded symbol and the codeword length fetched by the plural fetching devices in an initial decoding process. The selecting device further selects any one pair from the plural pairs of the decoded symbol and the codeword length utilizing the codeword length selected in the initial decoding process in subsequent decoding processes.