Video data filtering arrangement and method

Signal processing is enhanced using a filtering arrangement that re-uses data in a register array for filtering consecutive pixel blocks. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, consecutive blocks of pixel data corresponding to an image and sharing an edge therebetween is filtered. The consecutive blocks of pixel data are read and loaded into first and second halves of a register array, and pixel data in registers on opposite sides of the edge is filtered and returned to the register array. After filtering, data in the first half of the register array is unloaded and written back to the memory. Data in the second half of the register array is then shifted to the first half of the register array and additional pixel data is read and loaded into the second half of the register array. The additional pixel data corresponds to the image, is consecutive to and shares an edge with the pixel data shifted to the first half of the register array. In a more particular example embodiment of the present invention, pixel data in the first half of the register array and corresponding to a vertical edge between left and right halves of the pixel data is also filtered, prior to being unloaded and written back into memory. With these approaches, edge data from an image that may, for example, exhibit blockiness or other characteristics can be filtered using a register array while re-using a portion of data loaded into the register array.