Overview

Image and video processing environments have very specific logic requirements. Xilinx is adept at providing cores and expertise to meet the many DSP needs of these markets, including solutions to address the high resolution needs for real-time applications. We offer solutions to meet a wide range of industry standards for image processing, compression and the integration of multiple content sources. Our solution set encompasses a vast array of image and video processing applications prevalent in entertainment and business today, including:

• Video broadcast: DTV and HDTV
• Video conferencing and other multimedia business applications
• Medical image processing
• Industrial imaging, such as robotic vision, pattern recognition, and security
• 3D graphics, image rendering
• Flight simulators
• Digital photography, film scanning systems, movie editing equipment
• Digital copiers and handlers

Succeeding in complex 2D space

Real time image processing algorithms operate at video rates. Arithmetic operations must be performed on 2D arrays of pixel data. Specialty processors, which are commonly 10 to 100 times slower than FPGAs for many functions, are incapable of delivering the required performance. Like custom ICs, FPGA implementations benefit from smaller pixel word widths (typically 8 to 12 bits) resulting in more efficient solutions. Virtex FPGAs feature liberal amounts of block and distributed memory and consequently can integrate many system level function into a single device to process over 160 billion multiply operations per second.

Video broadcasting solutions made affordable

Video designers can easily harness the parallel performance capability of FPGAs by implementing 8 to 12-bit, 148.5 MHz (two times HDTV pixel rate) multipliers and adders in Virtex. Parameterizable line buffers, KCM (constant coefficient multipliers), in adders/subtractors are additional basic tools. Combined with general purpose programmable logic, they comprise a highly efficient solution for many video applications. By utilizing advanced IC process technology, Xilinx is able to offer FPGAs that can absorb standard video ASSP devices at a lower overall cost. With a single programmable device, you can integrate functionality to meet the system demands of your broadcasting application.

Reducing the costs of medical image processing

Lower production volumes and shorter product life cycles are typical for medical imaging applications making custom IC development impractical. FPGAs are off-the-shelf devices that process real-time image data through two dimensional FIR filters, IIR filters and algorithms to rapidly resize the image. Data formatting, compression and interfaces to large RAM and disk storage can be integrated into the same programmable device. Xilinx and our partners offer extensive libraries of image processing building blocks and design services to support the most demanding medical imaging applications.