A dynamic hardware video processing platform

Image processing typically requires either a very low frame rate or a considerable amount of dedicated hardware to achieve satisfactory results. Further, custom algorithms often require development of the entire video capture and processing system. Reconfigurable logic can be used to realize a dynamically alterable image capture and processing system. Algorithm changes at the frame rate are made possible with high speed and partial reconfiguration. Partial reconfiguration permits common functions such as video timing and memory control to be kept in place while the custom processing algorithms are dynamically replaced or modified. The use of a common framework with application overlays also allows the designer to concentrate on the image processing algorithm instead of worrying about the background functions. The use of reconfigurable logic for image processing provides the flexibility of a general purpose DSP with the speed of dedicated hardware.