Notacheck: a parallel DSP-based architecture for real time high resolution inspection of banknotes

Automatic control applications are real time systems which pose stringent requirements on precisely time-triggered synchronised actions and constant end to end delays in feedback loops which often constitute multi-rate systems. The paper presents the Notacheck projects (single one or sheet inspections), a typical specimen of real-time control application requiring interaction between several technical disciplines: mechanical control and computer engineering. An overview of the bank-note inspection problem is given. The state of technology for visual inspection and distributed architecture system is investigated