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Features and Description
The Altera® Video and Image Processing (VIP) Suite is a collection of MegaCore® functions that you can use to facilitate the development of custom video and image processing designs. These MegaCore functions are suitable for use in a wide variety of image processing and display applications, such as video surveillance, broadcast, video conferencing, and medical and military imaging.
The VIP Suite features cores that range from simple building block functions, such as color space conversion to sophisticated video scaling functions that can implement programmable polyphase scaling. Table 1 lists all the cores included in the VIP Suite.
- All the VIP cores use an open, low-overhead Avalon® Streaming (Avalon-ST) interface standard so that they can be easily connected.
- You can use VIP cores to quickly build a custom video processing signal chain using Quartus® II software or Qsys.
- You can mix and match VIP cores with your own proprietary intellectual property (IP).
- You can use Qsys to automatically integrate embedded processors and generate arbitration logic.
| Table 1. VIP Suite IP MegaCore Functions | |
| IP MegaCore Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Frame Reader | Reads video from external memory and outputs it as a stream. |
| Control Synchronizer | Synchronizes the changes made to the video stream in real time between two functions. |
| Switch | Allows video streams to be switched in real time. |
| Color Space Converter | Converts image data between a variety of different color spaces such as RGB to YCrCb. |
| Chroma Resampler | Changes the sampling rate of the chroma data for image frames, for example from 4:2:2 to 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 to 4:2:0. |
| 2D FIR Filter | Implements a 3x3, 5x5, or 7x7 finite impulse response (FIR) filter on an image data stream to smooth or sharpen images. |
| Alpha Blending Mixer | Mixes and blends multiple image streams—useful for implementing text overlay and picture-in-picture mixing. |
Scaler II: Edge Adaptive |
New HDL code-based Scaler II MegaCore function uses less area than first-generation Scaler in VIP Suite while delivering higher performance. The Scaler II function further reduces required resources with new support of 4:2:2 chroma data sampling rate. Both linear and polyphase algorithms are available with new feature of edge adaptive algorithm to reduce blurriness while maintaining realism. |
| Scaler | A sophisticated polyphase scaler that allows custom scaling and real-time updates of both the image sizes and the scaling coefficients. |
| Broadcast Deinterlacer | Converts interlaced video formats into progressive video formats with pixel-based cadence detection. |
| Deinterlacer II | Converts interlaced video formats to progressive video format using a motion adaptive deinterlacing algorithm. Also supports "bob" and "weave" algorithms, low-angle edge detection, 3:2 cadence detection, and low latency. |
| Deinterlacer | Converts interlaced video formats to progressive video format using a motion adaptive deinterlacing algorithm. Also supports "bob" and "weave" algorithms |
| Test Pattern Generator | Generates a video stream that contains still color bars for use as a test pattern. |
| Avalon-ST Video Montior | Capures video data packets without adding addtional delays and connect to trace system IP for collecting video trace data. |
| Trace System | Monitors captured data from video monitor and connects to host System Console via JTAG or USB for display |
| Clipper | Provides a way to clip video streams and can be configured at compile time or at run time. |
| Color Plane Sequencer | Changes how color plane samples are transmitted across the Avalon-ST interface. This function can be used to split and join video streams, giving control over the routing of color plane samples. |
| Frame Buffer | Buffers video frames into external RAM. This core supports double or triple-buffering with a range of options for frame dropping and repeating. |
| 2D Median Filter | Provides a way to apply 3x3, 5x5, or 7x7 pixel median filters to video images. |
| Gamma Corrector | Allows video streams to be corrected for the physical properties of display devices. |
| Clocked Video Input and Output | Convert the industry-standard clocked video format (BT-656) to Avalon-ST video and vice versa. |
IP Evaluation
Use the Altera OpenCore Plus Evaluation flow to test drive this suite of IP MegaCore functions.
More Information
Typical performance and utilization figures for these functions, as well more information on Avalon Memory-Mapped (MM) and Avalon-ST interfaces are available in the Video and Image Processing Suite User Guide (PDF).
Technical Support
For technical support on this MegaCore function, please visit the Altera mySupport online issue tracking system.
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