Concurrent VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Architectures for Two Dimensional Signal Processing Systems

Abstract : Because of the availability of low power, high density VLSI and recent developments in parallel algorithms, there presently exists a significant opportunity for dramatic advances in intelligent signal and image processing systems. The effect of these advances will be felt over a broad spectrum of commercial and military systems. Typical applications range from CAD/CAM for automation and robotics to intelligent communications, radar and image analysis systems. The authors concern themselves here principally with the computational issues associated with detection and analysis of images, whether obtained by synthetic aperture radar, infrared radiometry, or visible imaging. We anticipate two types of developments. The first can be viewed as simple extensions of our present systems, such as enhanced resolution of radar and electro-optical imaging due to an increased processor throughputs. A second, probably more important, system development will be the emergence of more intelligent and autonomous systems.