The Reconfigurable Vision Machine Project
 
     
      
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 		 The Reconfigurable Vision Machine Project began in 1994 in response to the need for machines to perform High Performance Computer Vision.  By "High Performance" we mean just about any vision problem which cannot be solved using the fastest PCs or workstations of the day.  A problem may fall into the High Performance category for a number of reasons: 
  • High computation requirements
  • High image data bandwidth requirements
  • Minimum latency requirements (particularly important for robotics)
We have designed and built a machine to solve these types of vision problems.  The machine is very flexible, easy to use, and upgradable to meet future challenges.  The heart of the Reconfigurable Vision Machine (RVM) is a modular architecture.  A single machine may have from 1 to 120 small hardware modules which may include digitizers, display drivers, DSP processors and specialized vision modules.  Modules are interconnected by a network of 50 MB/Sec point-to-point links (6 per module).  A supervisory processor also links all the modules via a low-speed control bus.  This modular architecture allows a virtually limitless number of different machines to be built to suit different applications.  Moreover, as modules become obsolete, they can be replaced with newer ones without altering the remainder of the system. 

The RVM system also includes a sophisticated set of development tools.  These PC-based tools greatly simplify the job of the vision system developer.  A graphical editor allows the developer to design new vision algorithms by connecting software "blocks" and simulating them on the PC.  The tools then automatically design an RVM to run the algorithm and automatically write the DSP C code needed for the new machine.  The development tools also include a debugger and a tool to automatically create a user interface for the new machine.