Parallel architecture for PCA image feature detection using FPGA

This paper describes a parallel architecture for image feature detection implemented using an FPGA. The image features are detected using a localized PCA (principle component analysis) pattern matching scheme. An offline training phase identifies sub-windows surrounding salient points in an object which are then projected into eigenspace. Sub-windows from an input image can then be projected into the same eigenspace in order to recognize the same feature points in other images. An FPGA is developed to sequentially project a 10times10 sub-window surrounding each and every pixel into eigenspace so that features can be detected in an image. The FPGA uses parallel dot-product blocks with parallel multipliers and parallel comparators to enable rapid feature detection for sub-windows. Simulations are performed to determine the feasibility of using an FPGA along with the number of required logic elements and the timing requirements.