Zynq-Based Smart Camera With Read Time Dehazing

Abstract

The project titled ”ZYNQ-Based Smart Camera for Real-Time Dehazing” proposes a novel approach to improve visibility during hazy conditions through the integration of a dehazing system that operates in real time. The impetus for this study stems from the necessity to address the difficulties presented by foggy atmospheric circumstances that may impede visibility and impede various applications, including surveillance systems, autonomous vehicles, and remote sensing. The study is centered on utilizing the ZYNQ Zedboard, a platform based on fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), which has been integrated with the OV7670 camera sensor module. The proposed system is intended to capture real-time images with low visibility, apply the Dark Channel Prior (DCP) algorithm for effective haze removal, and then exhibit the dehazed images on a VGA monitor. The research objectives are multifaceted. Our primary objective is to execute and enhance the DCP technique on the Zedboard architecture. An essential aspect of achieving this objective is guaranteeing the algorithm’s real-time performance, enhancing the image quality as they are exhibited. Furthermore, we emphasize establishing an efficient interface between the Zedboard and the OV7670 camera sensor module to acquire the necessary obscured images. The project encompasses both the development of hardware and software. A hardware system utilizing the FPGA-centric Zedboard and the OV7670 camera sensor module is being developed. The DCP algorithm is integrated with the software domain to facilitate effective dehazing of the images captured. The system’s performance is evaluated based on its dehazing efficiency, real-time processing capabilities, and the quality of its visual output. Nevertheless, the project is subject to specific constraints. The focus of the study primarily revolves around the application of the DCP method, with limited exploration of alternative dehazing techniques. Moreover, the system’s efficacy may fluctuate based on the intricacy of the environment and the degree of atmospheric obscurity. Furthermore, it is worth noting that the VGA output’s resolution may impose constraints on the extent of intricacy that can be discerned in the dehazed images or video stream