A Modular Architecture For Variable Resolution Image Processing

The ability to acquire and process images of various resolutions is required for working with nonstandard sizes of sensors or image data. A commmercially available system is described that can connect to virtually any sensor, acquire at virtually any resolution, and process sensor data at very high speeds. The system is able to acquire the output of sensors such as line scan devices (CCD, Laser, Diode), area scan devices (CCD, Vidicon, scanning electron beam), continuous analog signals, digital signals, etc. The advantages of processing and communicating variable resolution images at a fixed data rate are also discussed. Variable resolution image processing can concentrate hardware processing resources on regions of interest within a larger image. Previously these functions were implemented with unique hardware designed for each particular task. This system is configured at the software and systems integration levels, rather than at the hardware design level. Additionally this modular family uses the MAXbus for image transfers, allowing it to interface with a large body of available image processing hardware.