UAV Depth Map Processing With Multithreading for Obstacle Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) experience image processing blockage and delays when using high frame rate vision systems for obstacle detection, leading to inefficient obstacle avoidance measures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses multiple threads and ring queues to process depth maps, where execution times are analyzed to determine the optimal thread and queue configuration, allowing for parallel execution of image correction, binocular matching, and obstacle distribution acquisition, thereby reducing total execution time and preventing image processing blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the frame rate of image collection is increased to improve obstacle detection speed, then the obstacle detection capability is improved, but image processing blockage and delay occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing workflow into three independent modules: image correction, binocular matching, and obstacle distribution acquisition. Each module is executed by a separate thread, allowing parallel processing of image data. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high frame rates without processing bottlenecks, as multiple operations occur simultaneously rather than sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ring queues as intermediary data structures between processing threads. The ring queues serve as buffers that decouple the production of image data from its processing, allowing threads to operate independently without blocking each other. This mediator mechanism enables smooth data flow between modules while maintaining parallel execution, thus preventing processing delays even at high frame rates.
2Device complexity
If sequential processing is used to simplify system complexity, then the system structure is simpler, but total execution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing workflow into distinct modular components that can be executed in parallel. By separating image correction, binocular matching, and obstacle detection into independent threads, the system achieves faster execution without requiring complex inter-dependent processing logic. Each module remains relatively simple while the overall system benefits from parallelization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple threads and ring queues before processing begins. The thread pool and buffer structures are established in advance, allowing immediate parallel processing once data arrives. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for dynamic thread creation during processing, reducing overhead while maintaining simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The method for processing a depth map includes the following steps: S1: correcting an image of a target area that is collected by an image collection apparatus; S2: performing binocular matching on the image to obtain a depth map of the target area; and S3: acquiring a distribution of obstacles around an UAV according to the depth map. The method further includes: acquiring execution times of the foregoing steps before executing the steps; and establishing at least two threads and at least one ring queue according to the execution times of the steps, and executing the steps by the at least two threads to reduce a total execution time.


