Detection Algorithm of Infrared Dim Small Target Based on FPGA

The traditional infrared dim and small target detection algorithm is generally implemented by DSP (Digital Signal Processing) processor, which is complex and has poor real-time performance. In this paper, a FAST (Features from Accelerated Segment Test) algorithm of adaptive threshold based on FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) is proposed to detect infrared dim and small target. Based on the characteristics of FPGA parallel processing, the hardware acceleration of algorithm is realized by pipeline design. The improved adaptive threshold method can generate appropriate thresholds according to different environments, and avoid the loss or redundancy of dim and small infrared targets due to improper threshold selection. At last, two different groups of infrared images are used for experiment, the results show that the algorithm can detect the dim and small targets in the infrared image in real time, and can achieve high detection rate and low false alarm rate, which meets the requirements of real-time and effectiveness.