Reconfigurable video tracker

Gillian K. Groves; Spencer W. White; Michael D. Vahey; John A. Harding

doi:10.1117/12.352864

15 July 1999 Reconfigurable video tracker

Gillian K. Groves, Spencer W. White, Michael D. Vahey, John A. Harding

Proceedings Volume 3692, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing XIII; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.352864
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Reconfigurable computing using SRAM-based field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) can achieve significant computational performance advantage over conventional programmable processors. Since FPGAs can be customized, reconfigurable computers can provide optimal logic-circuitry for distinct phases of an application resulting in superior performance compared to generic multi-purpose hardware implementations. This performance improvement can be accomplished by reallocating logic resources to address the critical task at-hand. Consequently, not only can reconfigurable processors provide higher performance than programmable processors; they also enable common module architectures useful for multiple application or programs. In this paper, we will describe a fielded, ruggedized, fully programmable, single card, image-based tracking system using a reconfigurable computing module. The reconfigurable computing board contains multiple FPGAs, which can be customized at-request by loading configuration data from the host processor to the module over the Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) bus. Configurations can be selectively loaded to a specific FPGA or multiple configurations can be loaded simultaneously to different devices. This system provides multiple video tracking algorithms, automatic and manual target acquisition, RS-170 video input/output, and command/data I/O on a single 6U VME format card. While the initial application for this reconfigurable system was image-based target tracking, its hardware reconfigurability allows it to be applied to a wide variety of image and signal processing applications, such as automatic target recognition, IR search and track, and image enhancement.

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Gillian K. Groves, Spencer W. White, Michael D. Vahey, and John A. Harding "Reconfigurable video tracker", Proc. SPIE 3692, Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing XIII, (15 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.352864

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