Image convolution operations in digital computer systems are usually
very expensive operations in terms of resource consumption (processor
resources and processing time) for an efficient Real-Time application. In these
scenarios the visual information is divided in frames and each one has to be
completely processed before the next frame arrives. Recently a new method for
computing convolutions based on the neuro-inspired philosophy of spiking
systems (Address-Event-Representation systems, AER) is achieving high
performances. In this paper we present two FPGA implementations of AERbased
convolution processors that are able to work with 64x64 images and
programmable kernels of up to 11x11 elements. The main difference is the use
of RAM for integrators in one solution and the absence of integrators in the
second solution that is based on mapping operations. The maximum equivalent
operation rate is 163.51 MOPS for 11x11 kernels, in a Xilinx Spartan 3 400
FPGA with a 50MHz clock. Formulations, hardware architecture, operation
examples and performance comparison with frame-based convolution
processors are presented and discussed.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación TEC2006-11730-C03-02Junta de Andalucía P06-TIC-0141
