An FPGA-based point target detection system using morphological clutter elimination

In this work, we propose a point target detection system (PTDS) based on the FPGA technology. Instead of adopting the traditional filter-based methods, in the PTDS, we design a pipelined morphological clutter elimination (PMCE) hardware design with the ability of pipeline and parallel computing. Using the PMCE hardware design, the infrared images can be processed in real-time, which thus enhances system performance significantly. To provide seamless data transfers between the PMCE hardware design and the microprocessor, a hardware/software interface component is also designed in the PTDS. Experiments with an application of point target detection for processing realtime 320 × 240 pixel infrared images demonstrate that the PTDS can speed up 18 times the execution time required by using the software method.