Real-Time Parallel Computing Design for Implementation of Point/Small Target Detection Algorithm in Visible/Infra-Red Video

Aerial targets such as missiles and aircrafts at far distance projected on image plane as point or small targets in infra-red and visible video. These targets lack apriori information about target dynamic, shape and size. Detection and tracking of such targets has been reported challenging task. Hence, point or small size target detection algorithms become focus of long range detection and tracking systems. Generally, pre-processing is carried out on the input frame to predict the background and consequently enhance the target signature. In some scenario, post-processing algorithms are also required to reduce the false alarms. In this paper, we propose an efficient and innovative scheme for real-time implementation of point or small size target detection algorithm on PowerPC Single-Board Computer (SBC) by utilizing the parallel computing feature of AltiVec vector processing unit to achieve real-time processing. Results demonstrate the real-time processing of video with hardware results matching the simulation results.