Real-time laser spot detection and tracking system based on parallel multi-target detection and determination algorithm

Laser spot detection and tracking play a critical role in laser techniques. However, traditional detection and tracking systems tend to be bulky and lack portability. Therefore, there is a growing emphasis on developing high-performance and miniaturized systems based on the field programmable gate array (FPGA). In this paper, a novel parallel multi-target detection and determination algorithm is proposed to address the issue of current FPGA-based systems’ ineffective detection of laser spots in complex environments. Our simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm can effectively detect laser spots in complex environments. It can process a frame with an 800 × 480 resolution in only 7.88 ms at a 50 MHz image processing frequency, which means it can process more than 100 f/s and meet the real-time detection requirements. Such excellent detection performance is challenging to achieve with central processing units and advanced RISC machine microprocessors. Then, the algorithm is further deployed on an FPGA to build a prototype laser spot detection and tracking system. Practical tests show that the system can achieve a spot detection accuracy of around 90% under different luminous intensities, indicating excellent robustness of the designed algorithm. Besides, with the use of a piezoelectric actuator, speedy and precise tracking of the laser spot is implemented. The characteristics of speedy response, self-latching in power off, and no electromagnetic interference of the piezoelectric actuator give the system tremendous advantages in developing high-precision wireless communication control technology, which further broadens the application of the proposed system.