A new design of an efficient configurable circuit based on quantum-dot technology for digital image processing

Abstract

Image processing is the computational manipulation and analysis of digital images, encompassing various techniques and algorithms to enhance, transform, segment, and extract meaningful information from images. It plays a vital role in various fields, including computer vision, medical imaging, remote sensing, and entertainment, enabling tasks like object recognition, image enhancement, and pattern detection by utilizing methods such as filtering, edge detection, and machine learning to process visual data and extract valuable insights. Image processing circuits play a pivotal role in digital circuits, with Quantum-dot Cellular Automata (QCA) technology emerging as a viable option for nano-scale circuit implementation. While QCA presents an enticing avenue for circuit design, it has faced setbacks due to a notable prevalence of fabrication defects, thereby instigating a compelling area of exploration within QCA circuitry. Simultaneously, the significance of morphological operation circuits in digital circuits and image processing system design cannot be overstated. In this context, the present study undertakes the challenge of crafting a distinctive QCA-based morphological operations circuit that excels in area efficiency, robustness, and fault tolerance. Within the realm of QCA nano-technology, integrating fault-tolerant gates and cell redundancy emerges as a key strategy to ensure fault tolerance. A prime example is using a 5-input fault-tolerant majority gate, ingeniously harnessed to construct an efficient fault-tolerant morphological operations circuit. To materialize this endeavor, the QCADesigner-E tool takes center stage and is employed to meticulously implement the devised circuits. The outcomes of this endeavor, including evaluations of single-cell defects, quantum cost, area utilization, and delay time, unequivocally demonstrate the superiority of the designed QCA circuit compared to its predecessors. Notably, the engineered circuit boasts a minimal delay of approximately 0.75 clock cycles, marking a significant stride forward from previous QCA circuitry. In the wake of previous challenges that plagued QCA circuits, strides have been made to rectify these issues, fostering a burgeoning landscape of fault-tolerant and resilient QCA-based solutions. The amalgamation of image processing and fault-tolerant circuitry promises to unlock new vistas for advanced digital systems in the nano-scale domain.