Time comparison in image processing: APS sensors versus an artificial retina based vision system

Abstract

To resolve the computational complexity of computer vision algorithms, one of the solutions is to perform some low-level image processing on the sensor focal plane. It becomes a smart sensor device called a retina. This concept makes vision systems more compact. It increases performance thanks to the reduction of the data flow exchanges with external circuits. This paper presents a comparison between two different vision system architectures. The first one involves a smart sensor including analogue processors allowing on-chip image processing. An external microprocessor is used to control the on-chip dataflow and integrated operators. The second system implements a logarithmic CMOS/APS sensor interfaced to the same microprocessor, in which all computations are carried out. We have designed two vision systems as proof of concept. The comparison is related to image processing time.