Enhancing microcomputer for high-speed vector processing

The effort to achieve video rate image processing with an Microprocessor (MP)-based system led to the development of an enhanced MP architecture. Such architecture can be used whenever large blocks of data must be processed in a short period of time and the processing itself is a repetition of some relatively simple operations. A hardware MP-controlled Vector Processor was designed. A DMA controller is used to transfer the data to and from the array processor. The MP sets up the mode of operation, initiates the process, and regains control upon process completion for further processing. The Vector Processor controller is a DMA controller for Vector operation, and a special array address generator for 2-D array operation. We shall describe the system, and the architecture used to achieve very high speed operation while keeping the size and the price reasonably low. The system was built as part of a more complex video rate image enhancer. Evaluation of the Vector Processor will be included.