A Real-Time Digital Optical Enhancement System

Real-time video enhancement can be accomplished in two areas. First, optics and optical systems can readily be applied to the incoming image. The nature of this solution is such that the results occur in real-time. Secondly, if the video is to be digitized, a variety of hardware and software solutions can be applied to the digital data. Processing time is the single largest constraint on digital processing in real time. A high speed, modular FPGA based video processing system is proposed to correct geometric lens distortions, linearize imaging arrays and interpolate dead imaging cells. This system, while physically small can readily maintain the data rates required for real-time processing. Real-time video processing is required for military, scientific, industrial and broadcast video industries. For many of these applications, sensor and optics distortions decrease the usefulness of the of data. By correcting the video signal, significant cost can be saved in the optics and imaging systems.