what microcontroller will be best for image processing?

Hi Carl,

As always, it depends at what level you intend to do image processing and how quickly you want results.

When I worked with a spectral image processor, the big issue was having enough memory to put the data all into memory so that the access time was minimum.

In my case, we were dealing with files sizes about 500 MBytes each.

It also depends upon image size and type.  Are you looking at just RGB or something else.

What about resolution size and bit depth?

What software are you planning to use, what are its requirements.

First rule of effective engineering is to never use terms like best or fastest.  They are meaningless until you put details into the requirements.

So define your use expectations and we can do a better job of steering you to an optimal system to meet your needs.

Second rule for effective engineering is to fully understand the task you need to solve.  Until you know what aspects of the problem are the most compelling, you cannot make implementation decisions.

DAB

Hi Carl

detects charged coupled device(CCD) based on its retroreflective nature

what do tou mean? you have a camera and you need to process frames looking for CCDs?

I have some experience with the TI OMAP3530, which I think has enough computing power to accomplish some basic image processing

On the opposite hand, a good solution (but probably more difficult and more expensinve, too) could be a solution that integrates both a processor and an FPGA, like the Altera Cyclone 5

Hope this help and good luck for your project!

Ambrogio

Since i'm now about starting the project, wanted to know if I could first of all afford it. This is an overview of what its goin be:

A camera will be fitted with an IR bandpass filter in order to narrow the images i'm supposed to process. Yet I will still need an image processor to identify the particular object in this case is a CCD.

I'm having problems with the appropriate image processor to use. I'll also welcome any suggestion considering what IR bandpass filter will be appropriate. Tanx

Need your help guy!!!

Carl.

Ambarella SOC

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambarella_Inc.

Its what they use in the GoPro camera.

Hi Carl,

You can put a system together very quickly using a PC or laptop and a web cam.

Load up OpenCV, its free and very powerful imaging software with all kinds of tools.

You will need to remove the IR filter in the web cam or buy one without a filter install.

Then go get a Wratten 25A red camera filter.  It passes IR beyond about 800 nanometers, which covers NIR wavelengths.

A Silicon sensor can see up to 1.2 microns.

You may need to readjust the focus on the webcam to optimize the clarity of the IR image.

I know some digital cameras come without the IR filter installed and can autofocus on NIR images.

So your options on getting started are pretty simple.

IR imaging is really interesting and I will be discussing some of the issues about spectral imaging in a future post.

DAB

Will try it out and get you updated.

Tanx.

Hi Carl,

In this case the best solution is the FPGA or microcontroller with DSP unit. Xilinx and Altera include in their software a lot of ready-to-use IPs and some of them are related to image and video processing. Furthermore Altera and Xilinx has FIR and CIC compiler, which can be helpful in image processing. Unfortunately FPGAs and SoCs are expensive.

Good luck,

can you please drop your e-mail. really need some guidance

I sent you a contact request so we can carry this off line.

DAB