An Implementation of Watershed based Image Segmentation Algorithm using FPGA Processor

In this work, the watershed algorithm is used as a method in solving the image segmentation problem. However, of the many variants of the watershed algorithm not all are equally well suited for hardware implementation. Different algorithms are suited and the watershed algorithm based on connected components is selected for the implementation as it exhibits least computational complexity, good segmentation quality and can be implemented in FPGA. Mostly the watershed segmentation result in over-segmentation. The markers based watershed segmentation transformation is proposed in this project. The proposed method reduces noise and over-segmentation. It has simplified memory access compared to all other watershed based image segmentation algorithms. The main aim of this project is to implement image segmentation algorithm in a FPGA which requires minimum hardware resources, low execution time and is suitable for use in real time applications.