A Double Precision High Speed Convolution Processor

F. Larochelle; J. F. Coté; A. S. Malowany

doi:10.1117/12.970097

1 November 1989 A Double Precision High Speed Convolution Processor

F. Larochelle, J. F. Coté, A. S. Malowany

Proceedings Volume 1199, Visual Communications and Image Processing IV; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.970097
Event: 1989 Symposium on Visual Communications, Image Processing, and Intelligent Robotics Systems, 1989, Philadelphia, PA, United States

Abstract

There exist several convolution processors on the market that can process images at video rate. However, none of these processors operates in floating point arithmetic. Unfortunately, many image processing algorithms presently under development are inoperable in integer arithmetic, forcing the researchers to use regular computers. To solve this problem, we designed a specialized convolution processor that operates in double precision floating point arithmetic with a throughput several thousand times faster than the one obtained on regular computer. Its high performance is attributed to a VLSI double precision convolution systolic cell designed in our laboratories. A 9X9 systolic array carries out, in a pipeline manner, every arithmetic operation. The processor is designed to interface directly with the VME Bus. A DMA chip is responsible for bringing the original pixel intensities from the memory of the computer to the systolic array and to return the convolved pixels back to memory. A special use of 8K RAMs allows an inexpensive and efficient way of delaying the pixel intensities in order to supply the right sequence to the systolic array. On board circuitry converts pixel values into floating point representation when the image is originally represented with integer values. An additional systolic cell, used as a pipeline adder at the output of the systolic array, offers the possibility of combining images together which allows a variable convolution window size and color image processing.

Citation Download Citation

F. Larochelle, J. F. Coté, and A. S. Malowany "A Double Precision High Speed Convolution Processor", Proc. SPIE 1199, Visual Communications and Image Processing IV, (1 November 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.970097

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
7 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Convolution

Image processing

Visual communications

Very large scale integration

Algorithm development

Video processing

Video

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years