A general-purpose video signal processor: architecture and programming

Programming aspects of a new digital, flexible processor especially designed for the effective processing of real-time video signals are addressed. The modular architecture contains a number of programmable, pipelined processing elements. A programmable crossbar switch provides a flexible interconnection between the processing elements. The programs can be constructed with the aid of graphical, interactive tools that abstract from hardware details. Efficient mapping algorithms that automate parts of the programming trajectory have been designed. Data are presented on the hardware utilization that was achieved by applying the tools to a number of video algorithms