(The) 4-color interpolation algorithm and memory-efficient hardware architecture for 4-color sensor

Abstract

Various types of color filter arrays are emerging, as image information becomes variously needed. Accordingly, the interpolation methods for each color filter array are also required to generate an image. As the fields that utilize infrared information have been expanded, a sensor capable of receiving the red, blue, green, and infrared information has been developed and an interpolation method for the four-color sensor is required. In this paper, we propose a four-color interpolation method that reduces computational complexity and interpolation artifacts that occur during interpolation. In addition, we propose three kinds of hardware structures for implementing the corresponding interpolation method in real time, and determine the structure with the lowest hardware complexity but no performance degradation. The hardware complexity is determined by using the memory usage and the complexity of the logic circuit. As a result, the interpolated image has few interpolation defects and the structure of the high frequency domain is well reconstructed. In addition, the interpolation hardware has low hardware complexity.