An FPGA-based coprocessor for image processing

Reconfigurable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are a new technology suitable for building fast and flexible processing systems. This paper contains an overview of the first ever FPGA-based coprocessor for an image processing system. The system provides the performance of custom hardware with the added flexibility of an equivalent software-based system. Benchmark results are given for the time taken to perform two typical image processing functions.