Using VLIW softcore processors for image processing applications

The ever-increasing complexity of advanced high-resolution image processing applications requires innovative solutions to ensure addressing this issue efficiently and cost effectively. This paper discusses the utilization of reconfigurable general-purpose softcore processors in image processing applications such that hardware resources are efficiently utilized and at the same time ensure high image processing performance for the targeted application. Results show that the rVEX softcore processor can achieve remarkably better performance compared to the industry-standard Xilinx MicroBlaze (up to a factor of 3.2 times faster) on image processing applications.