Real time image processing system design for multi-processor architectures

Real time image processing systems are very complex real time systems that challenge the limitations of hardware resources (processing, memory, bandwidth). Typically, real time image processing systems are implemented on pipeline or multi processor architectures. For multi processor architectures we distinguish shared memory and/or inter processor communication links for the communication. In the following paper we present a system design for real time image processing systems on multi processor architectures using inter processor communication links for the communication. The paper focuses on the specific design issues important for real time image processing systems. A detailed overview over the complete design is given by presenting the following topics: hardware topology, programming model, inter processor communication, image processing infrastructure and image processing. The system design is illustrated using the ground to ground Automatic Target Detection and Tracking (ATDT) system developed by Computing Devices Canada for its Fire-Control and Surveillance products.