Title: FPGA implementation of log-polar mapping

Authors: Wai Kit Wong, Chee Wee Choo, Chu Kiong Loo, Joo Peng Teh

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, Jln Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, Jln Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, Jln Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University, Jln Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia

Abstract: Log-polar or spatially variant image representation is an important component of active vision system in tracking process for many robotic applications due to its data compression ability, faster sampling rates and hence, direct to faster image-processing speed in machine vision system. In this paper, we try to implement log-polar mapping techniques on Xilinx FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) board for unwarping the omnidirectional images into panoramic images to present a wide angle of view by preserving fine output image quality in a higher data compression manner. Simulations are also run on MATLAB to find out the optimum mapping criterion. Some significant advantages of this new approach are: lighter processing system, lesser space utilisation, cost saving, faster processing speed and faster reset time (boot time) compared to a laptop computer that uses MATLAB for doing the unwarping process.

Keywords: log-polar mapping; FPGA implementation; robotic applications; machine vision; omnidirectional images; panoramic images; robot vision; spatially variant image representation; unwarping process; biological inspired approach; retina-like representation; field programmable gate arrays; wide angle view; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2010.034724

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2010 Vol.39 No.1/2/3, pp.12 - 18

Published online: 18 Aug 2010 *

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