A framework for design and validation of face detection systems

A framework for hardware design and validation of face detection systems is discussed. The design begins at a high-level of abstraction by using a software library as the golden reference model. The golden reference model and the baseline model (model under validation) are converted to a transaction level (TLM) description or a register transfer level (RTL) description. The degree of similarity of the detected faces is used to determine whether the model under validation fulfills the prescribed design requirements. The framework is designed for real time high resolution image processing applications and is based on the universal verification methodology (UVM). As a case study, the framework was applied to validate a C++ baseline model written to implement the OpenCV library considered as the golden reference model. In this case both models have been converted to TLM and thus the time required for determining whether the baseline model is valid or not is significantly reduced. Thus one can decide as early as possible if one must proceed with the conversion of baseline model to RTL based on the result of the TLM validation test.