Machine intelligence realised in a FPGA for smart sensor research

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of machine intelligence required for the smart sensor environment. The increasing complexity of the hardware requirements for smart sensor applications has led to the inclusion of field programmable gate arrays, FPGA, in the design of these systems. Two main advantages can be capitalized on with this approach, based on the characteristics of the FPGAs. Firstly, the design can be easily modified, reducing the design cycle time considerably. Also, as FPGAs are inherently parallel devices, both local processing and system partitioning are provided. The total system design in this project includes an application specific integrated circuit, ASIC, the FPGA, and a microcomputer. In this fashion the requirements for a smart sensor are realised.