ANALOG IMAGE-PROCESSING WITH SILICON RETINAS

Early vision algorithms map naturally on distributed physical systems configured to process signals in continuous time and to act on analog image values. Using analog very large scale integrated technology, we have constructed prototypes of several experimental systems that implement biologically inspired image processing functions, including edge enhancement, centroid computation, and image translation (motion computation). Recent experiments at the Applied Physics Laboratory indicate that these systems are already practical for use in feedback loops in selected control system applications.