Advanced real-time bus system for concurrent data paths used in high-performance image processing

In this paper we present a new bus protocol satisfying extreme real time demands. It has been applied to a high performance quality inspection system which can involve up to eight sensors of various types. Thanks to the modular configuration this multi-sensor inspection system acts on the outside as a single sensor image processing system. In general, image processing systems comprise three basic functions (i) image acquisition, (ii) image processing and (iii) output of processed data. The data transfers for these three fundamental functions can be accomplished either by individual bus systems or by a single bus. In case of using a single bus the system complexity of the implementation, i.e. Development of protocols, hardware employment and EMC technical considerations, is far smaller. An important goal of the new protocol design is to support extremely fast communication between individual processing modules. For example, the input data (image acquisition) is transferred in real time to individual processing modules. Concurrent to this communication the processed data are being transferred to the output module. Therefore, the key function of this protocol is to realize concurrent data paths (data rates over 1.2 Gbit/s) by using principles of pipeline architectures and methods of time division multiplex. Moreover, the new bus protocol enables concurrent data transfers via a single bus system. In this paper the function of the new bus protocol including hardware layout and innovative bus arbiter are described in details.