Implementing machine vision systems using FPGAs

Abstract

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) offer a convenient and flexible platform on which real-time machine vision systems may be implemented. This chapter discusses how FPGA based design differs from conventional software design for implementing image processing algorithms. Simply porting from software to hardware can give disappointing results. The process of transforming an algorithm for mapping it onto an FPGA is described in some detail, illustrating how a range of low-level image processing operations may be efficiently implemented. Systems integration issues such as interfacing, debugging and tuning are also discussed.