Multiprocessor system for the real-time digital processing of video-image series / Ein Multiprozessorsystem für die digitale Verarbeitung von Fernsehbildserien in Echtzeit

Abstract

In the course of a project for the analysis of X-ray picture series a new system for the digital processing of video-image series has been developed. It allows the real time digitization (up to 512 pixels/line, 8 bits/pixel), and high speed processing of video-picture series and a presentation of results in an easily interpretable way by a colour TV-display processor. As a characteristic of the system the extreme requirements concerning the digitization and processing speed (with data rates up to 80 Mbaud) are met by a realization in the form of a multiprocessor structure. The microprogrammed special processors communicate via a high speed asynchronous bus with a throughput of 15 Mwords/ s. Their functions are controlled by the commands of a host computer (e.g. PDP U/45). In order to achieve the above performance, structured design methods such as Petri-nets have been applied, which give rise to a more transparent design, better documentation and shorter implementation times. This paper describes the design, the structure, the programming and the application of the system.