FIELD: computer technology.
SUBSTANCE: invention relates to means for searching for a shape of a pyramidal vector quantizer. A target vector x is taken as input and a vector y is output by iteratively adding single pulses in an internal search cycle by dimension. Before entering the next internal search cycle by dimension, to add a single pulse, it is determined based on the maximum amplitude of the pulse 
of the current vector y, whether a larger than the current bit length of a word is needed to represent 
in a lossless way in an upcoming internal cycle by dimension. A variable 
refers to the accumulated energy of the vector y. Doing this enables an encoder to keep the complexity of the search at a reasonable level. For example, it enables the encoder to apply an increased accuracy cycle only when it may be necessary, by analyzing, whether the “worst case scenario” in the upcoming internal cycle will require an internal cycle with higher accuracy than the accuracy used at the current time.
EFFECT: increase in the efficiency of the search.
19 cl, 14 dwg, 2 tbl
