Real-time single-pixel imaging using a system on a chip field-programmable gate array

Unlike conventional imaging, the single-pixel imaging technique uses a single-element detector, which enables high sensitivity, broad wavelength, and noise robustness imaging. However, it has several challenges, particularly requiring extensive computations for image reconstruction with high image quality. Therefore, high-performance computers are required for real-time reconstruction with higher image quality. In this study, we developed a compact dedicated computer for single-pixel imaging using a system on a chip field-programmable gate array (FPGA), which enables real-time reconstruction at 40 frames per second with an image size of 128 × 128 pixels. An FPGA circuit was implemented with the proposed reconstruction algorithm to obtain higher image quality by introducing encoding mask pattern optimization. The dedicated computer can accelerate the reconstruction 10 times faster than a recent CPU. Because it is very compact compared with typical computers, it can expand the application of single-pixel imaging to the Internet of Things and outdoor applications.