Design Methodology for heterogeneous Machine Vision Systems

In this paper we describe a design flow for heterogeneous machine vision systems. In this design flow a machine vision application is first described as a data flow model, which is executable and independent from the target architecture to get results about the algorithm. Once the algorithm fits the problem parts of it can replaced through hardware modules. The heterogeneous model is now executable too to verify the overall system. This is possible through the implementation of the hardware modules as cycle accurate SystemCTM-modules (RT-Level). The integration of SystemCTM-modules for simulation of the system is described. Operator libraries allows the design of application specific modules from verified operators for designing and testing new algorithms without special compilers. A hardware module described in SystemCTM is direct used as specification to create a FPGA net list. It is the interface between software-orientated image processing company and hardware developer. In connection with the design flow two hardware platforms are described and examples and results will be presented. 1