Implementation of convolution operation on general purpose processors

Convolution (FIR filtering) is a computationally demanding operation, especially when performed as a two-dimension (2D) operation in a real time image processing system. Consequently, a great amount of research has been done to perform this operation more and more efficiently. This paper reviews different architectures of general-purpose processors giving the example of Pentium family. In recent years a rapid development of microprocessors have been observed, however, it can be seen that architecture of microprocessors is already complex and a further rapid increase of the calculation speed rather limited. Dedicated processors implement convolution operation very efficiently, nevertheless, the design is not flexible which makes design development, test and upgrade difficult.