Re: DSP or FPGA for high-speed image processing??

Tim Wescott <tim@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

David L. Jones wrote:
kyori wrote:

Hi,

I am going to start a project of onboard high-speed CMOS image
processing.
I am goint to perform certain *block matching algorithm* or *Fourier
Transform* between successive frames and the fps would be 1000 or
more..


The interface between the CMOS camera and the board is standord
CamLink.
I've learned that both DSP and FPGA based circuits can do certain
onboard image processing tasks, and I'd like to know whick is better?
DSP or FPGA?


I know some corporations use FPGA based boards as development boards
for their cameras. And my cooperators have some DSP development
experiences. So, the question arises, and I want your suggestions. I'd
like to know the advantages of each choise and maybe the direction of
onboard realtime high-speed image processing.

-- snip --

I'd recommned you do the calculations and figure out if a DSP can do
what you want in real-time, if it looks like it can with plenty of
margin then use the DSP and don't even consider using an FPGA. Perhaps
it is worthwhile investing some time and effort trying DSP first as a
simple prototype to get a feel if it has enough processing grunt for
you.

This is what it really boils down to. 1000fps is easy if they're 4x4
frames, more difficult if they're 1000x1000. Look at your algorithm &
figure out how many multiplies and adds it requires each second. Then
look at your candidate processors, and what _they're_ capable of. If
multiple processing blocks are necessary figure that it'll be easier to
rope a bunch of FPGAs together in some unique fashion than DSPs, and the
DSPs will be easier than the suggested mini-PC.

A lot of machine vision cameras come with fire-wire or ethernet these
days. Interfacing those to a mini-pc is a matter of buying the right
interface card. An Intel Core Duo CPU uses about 15W. I don't see how
an FPGA or DSP solution will take less development time than just
writing a piece of software. I doubt the size of the image is very
large at 1000fps otherwise there will be a bandwidth problem. So a
direct-show filter (which is nothing more than a com object) may do
the trick. If the algorithm is known and a mini-pc offers enough
processing power the entire project may be finished in less than a
week.

--
Reply to nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.)
Bedrijven en winkels vindt U op www.adresboekje.nl
.

Relevant Pages