VLSI design and implementation of a real-time image segmentation processor

Image segmentation is a crucial part of machine vision applications. In this paper a system to perform real-time segmentation of images is presented. It uses a real-time segmentation VLSI chip that is based on a gradient relaxation algorithm and is designed using the Path Programmable Logic design methodology developed at the University of Utah. The system design considerations, system specifications, and an input/output format for the chip are discussed. The actual design of the chip is given that uses pipeline methodology to achieve real-time performance with a compact VLSI layout. The implementation of the segmentation system is presented and the segmentation chip and the overall system are evaluated with regard to real-time performance and segmentation results.

[1]  K..  Design of Special-Purpose VLSI Chips : Example and Opinions , .

[2]  Olivier D. Faugeras,et al.  Segmentation of Images Having Unimodal Distributions , 1982, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence.

[3]  Lynn Conway,et al.  Introduction to VLSI systems , 1978 .

[4]  R.P. Kruger,et al.  A technical and economic assessment of computer vision for industrial inspection and robotic assembly , 1981, Proceedings of the IEEE.

[5]  Kamran Eshraghian,et al.  Principles of CMOS VLSI Design: A Systems Perspective , 1985 .

[6]  Raymond J. Offen.  VLSI image processing , 1986 .

[7]  Bir Bhanu,et al.  Automatic Target Recognition: State of the Art Survey , 1986, IEEE Transactions on Aerospace and Electronic Systems.

[8]  Bir Bhanu,et al.  Segmentation of natural scenes , 1987, Pattern Recognit..

[9]  Keith Price,et al.  Picture Segmentation Using a Recursive Region Splitting Method , 1998 .

[10]  H. T. Kung,et al.  The Design of Special-Purpose VLSI Chips , 1980, Computer.

[11]  Azriel Rosenfeld,et al.  Scene Labeling by Relaxation Operations , 1976, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics.

[12]  R. L. Andersson.  Real-time gray-scale video processing using a moment- generating chip , 1985, IEEE J. Robotics Autom..

[13]  Allen R. Hanson,et al.  Studies in Global and Local Histogram-Guided Relaxation Algorithms , 1982, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence.

[14]  D. F. Barbe,et al.  VHSIC Systems and Technology , 1981, Computer.

[15]  Bir Bhanu,et al.  Model-based segmentation of FLIR images , 1990 .

[16]  K. F. Smith,et al.  Structured logic design of integrated circuits using the storage/logic array (SLA) , 1982 .

[17]  Olivier D. Faugeras,et al.  Shape Matching of Two-Dimensional Objects , 1984, IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence.