A reconfigurable real-time front end processor for a multi-spectral missile approach warning sensor

The article describes a real-time implementation on an FPGA of a two-colour preprocessing algorithm for a multi-spectral infrared (IR) missile approach warning system (MAWS). IR MAWSs have promised increased detection range over ultraviolet (UV) MAWSs. However, they have been plagued by the related problems of high false alarm rate and high computational load. Two-colour MAWSs offer a method of reducing the false alarm rate and possibly reducing high level computational load. The FPGA (field programmable gate array) based system was demonstrated running in real-time on 128 by 128 resolution imagery at 130 frames per second with no latency. We conclude that FPGAs and reconfigurable computing technology offers a substantial advantage over traditional von Neumann processors for low-level image processing algorithms.