Building a new system architecture for intelligent surveillance video with FPGA

As high-definition (HD) security monitoring and video processing systems continue to evolve, the demand for powerful processing devices has significantly increased. Traditional single-chip DSP solutions are no longer sufficient to meet the growing requirements of full-frame-rate video processing. While multi-chip, multi-core, or CPU+DSP architectures have been used in some applications, they often lead to higher PCB costs, increased system resource usage, and reduced stability. This has led to a growing interest in new system architectures that leverage the flexibility of FPGAs to load video processing engines efficiently.

Cost and Performance Challenges

According to Jiang Yungui, a senior system architect at Xilinx Asia, the market for intelligent video analysis systems is expected to reach $800 million by 2012. For manufacturers of video surveillance equipment like cameras and DVRs, single-chip solutions face limitations in terms of performance, cost, and power consumption, making them less viable. By using Xilinx’s Spartan-3A DSP FPGAs, which offer both programmability and cost-effectiveness, designers can integrate multiple monitoring functions—such as motion detection, virtual barriers, and demographic tracking—into a single chip, enhancing functionality without increasing complexity.

To fully utilize FPGAs, a robust video processing engine is essential. Eutecus, Inc., based in Berkeley, California, developed Cellular Vision Technology (CVT), a next-generation image stream capture and processing solution that incorporates numerous parallel processing architectures and advanced algorithms. Stephen D. Hester, CEO of Eutecus, explained that CVT was inspired by the human visual system, enabling efficient image processing IP for FPGAs and other devices in the smart video surveillance sector. “We faced challenges with our first-generation Multicore Video Analysis Engine (MVE),” said Hester. “It was based on TI’s DaVinci SoC, but we needed more processing power and better integration for the second generation. Using multiple DSP chips wasn’t cost-effective, so we turned to a single-chip solution.”

Spartan-3A Based Processing Architecture

After extensive research, Eutecus selected the Xilinx Spartan-3A DSP3400A, which features 126 XtremeDSP DSP48A slices, delivering up to 30 GMAC of DSP performance. This makes it ideal for demanding video analytics applications where cost and performance are critical. The MVE can process HD video at full frame rates while consuming less than 1W of power. It offers a compact, easy-to-configure architecture that combines a natural parallel multi-core design with embedded complex video analysis algorithms, simplifying both hardware design and software development. The MVE can handle multiple event detections and parallel classification algorithms simultaneously, making it highly efficient for real-time video processing.

Portability across platforms is a key consideration in modern system design. Xilinx’s EDK Embedded Development Kit supports a dual-processor architecture based on the MicroBlaze embedded processor, similar to TI’s DaVinci platform. This allows Eutecus to easily transition their designs between different platforms without major rework. “By embedding MVE into the Xilinx Spartan-3A FPGA, we can provide advanced video analysis capabilities for smart cameras and other networked devices such as DVRs,” said Jiang Yungui. “FPGAs enable us to add more video analysis features and event detection options to meet customer needs.”

Eutecus uses VHDL to develop multiple analysis accelerator engines, integrating these specialized cores into the C-MVA coprocessor. This approach enables engineers to reuse dual MicroBlaze systems to generate different FPGA programming files, creating a scalable solution that can adapt to various video analytics applications. With this method, Eutecus ensures flexibility, efficiency, and future-proofing for their video processing solutions, meeting the evolving demands of the surveillance industry.

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