Real-time detection algorithm for small space targets based on Max-Median filter

A real-time detection algorithm for small space targets was presented based on FPGA and DSP, and the corresponding hardware was designed. With this system, the Video image, whose frame frequency reaches 40 Hz and the size reaches 512 × 512 pixels, could be processed in real-time application. Firstly, Max-Median filter was realized in FPGA to depress noise to solve the problem of mass computation and high speed request in image pre-processing. The segmentation of the moving target was done with an improved dual image difference and background suppression to ensure that small moving targets were detected in a low SNR and complex background image. And the algorithm could ensure diminishing false-alarm rate and maintaining detection probability. Practical application approved that the system perfectly meets the requirements of the real-time dim target detection and recognition in deep space. 1548-7741/