Architecture driven memory allocation for FPGA based real-time video processing systems

Abstract

In this paper, we present an approach that uses information about the FPGA architecture to achieve optimized allocation of embedded memory in real-time video processing system. A cost function defined in terms of required memory sizes, available block- and distributed-RAM resources is used to motivate the allocation decision. This work is a high-level exploration that generates VHDL RTL modules and synthesis constraint files to specify memory allocation. Results show that the proposed approach achieves appreciable reduction in block RAM usage over previous logic to memory mapping approach at negligible increase in logic usage.