A methodology for rapid prototyping of real-time image processing VLSI systems

A methodology aimed at prototyping real-time image processing VLSI systems is presented. The prototyping methodology includes the emulation of the application in its target environment (i.e., in real time and on real-world scenes) and the automatic derivation of a VLSI chip-set implementing the application. Our methodology is based on a custom emulator called the Data-Flow Functional Computer (DFFC) which is dedicated to real-time image processing. Our method encompasses in a coherent environment: the validation of the high level specification; the simultaneous validation of an implementation of the design suitable for integration; and a method for integrating the validated emulator architecture as a VLSI system. The results of the successful prototyping of a defect detector algorithm are presented.