Abstract

FPGAs are often used as implementation platforms for real-time image processing applications because their structure allows them to exploit spatial and temporal parallelism. Such parallelization is subject to the processing mode and hardware constraints including limited processing time, limited access to data and limited resources of the system. These constraints often force the designer to reformulate the software algorithm in the process of mapping it to hardware. To aid in the process this paper proposes the application of design patterns which embody experience and through reuse provide tools for solving particular mapping problems. Issues involved in applying design patterns in this manner are outlined and discussed.

The mapping of image processing algorithms to hardware is complicated by several hardware constraints including limited processing time, limited access to data and limited resources of the system. These constraints often force the designer to reformulate the algorithm. To aid in the process this paper details the application of design patterns to image processing algorithm development. Design patterns embody experience and through reuse provide tools for solving particular mapping problems. The effectiveness of design patterns for overcoming constraints in the mapping process is illustrated in the context of a real world example that focuses on the development of a real-time object tracking algorithm implemented on an FPGA.

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