Self-modifiable image processing library for model-based design on FPGAs

Abstract

This paper describes highly configurable hardware modules, included in XIL XSGImgLib library, capable of speed up the hardware implementation of video and image processing systems using the model-based design flow provided by Xilinx System Generator. As part of this work, generic architectures were developed to exploit specific characteristics of some processing blocks, which can be self-modified using a novel software procedure developed for MATLAB®. This procedure, along with the generic architecture and the configuration options, allows the abstraction about the specific details of the hardware implementation, as well as the adjustment of the resources consumption of the high-speed image and video processing application for embedded systems with weight, volume and power consumption constrains like smart cameras, video surveillance and autonomous vehicles. The use of this video and image processing library is illustrated by the development of a segmentation application on a Spartan-6 LX45 FPGA although any Xilinx’s FPGA is supported.