Analog Signal Processing Solution for Image Alignment

TL;DR

This paper proposes an analog signal processing approach to augment digital image processing systems, significantly reducing computation time for image alignment tasks like normalized cross correlation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analog processing architecture and two modifications to the normalized cross correlation algorithm to enhance speed and efficiency.

Findings

Reduced computation time for image alignment

Effective augmentation of digital processing systems

Novel analog architecture demonstrated

Abstract

Imaging and Image sensors is a field that is continuously evolving. There are new products coming into the market every day. Some of these have very severe Size, Weight and Power constraints whereas other devices have to handle very high computational loads. Some require both these conditions to be met simultaneously. Current imaging architectures and digital image processing solutions will not be able to meet these ever increasing demands. There is a need to develop novel imaging architectures and image processing solutions to address these requirements. In this work we propose analog signal processing as a solution to this problem. The analog processor is not suggested as a replacement to a digital processor but it will be used as an augmentation device which works in parallel with the digital processor, making the system faster and more efficient. In order to show the merits of analog processing the highly computational Normalized Cross Correlation algorithm is implemented. We propose two novel modifications to the algorithm and a new imaging architecture which, significantly reduces the computation time.