FPGA & DSP infrared image processing module for people and objects detection

Infrared image processing systems are used in the beginning only as visualization systems for observation of people and objects in the night or as night vision systems. Next in these systems are included the blocks and algorithms for thermal image processing and these systems became the base of the today’s infrared image processing systems. There are many areas of infrared image processing systems applications like industrial control, medical, military and police systems, etc. One of the topic applications of the infrared image processing systems now are the surveillance and observation infrared system. The goal of this article is to describe the development and of a module with FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and DSP (Digital Signal Processor) for infrared image processing in infrared surveillance and observation system for customs control and combating terrorism. It is proposed the structure of the module suitable for capturing and processing thermal images from an infrared image sensor. Some results of testing the proposed FPGA and DSP infrared image processing module are presented with an algorithm developed for people or objects detection in thermal images. Key-Words: infrared visual systems; infrared image processing; FPGA and digital signal processors; people and objects detection