On chip vision system architecture using a CMOS retina

This paper discusses design solution for integrating a complete vision system on a single chip. We describe the architecture and the implementation of a smart integrated retina based vision system dedicated for vehicles applications. The retina is a circuit that combines image acquisition and analog/digital processing operators allowing the achievement of real-time image processing. Interests of vision system integration are analysed through comparisons with conventional approaches using CCD cameras and a digital processor or CMOS sensors combined with wired algorithms on FPGA technology. Our solution takes the advantages of both these solutions.