Fault detection in a real-time image pipeline

A technique including receiving an image stream for processing; processing the received image stream in a real time mode of operation; outputting an indication that an image processing pipeline has begun processing the received image stream; receiving, in response to the indication, first configuration information associated with test data for testing the image processing pipeline; switching the image processing pipeline to a non-real time mode of operation to process the test data based on the first configuration information during a vertical blanking period of the received image stream; loading the test data from an external memory; switching an input of the image processing pipeline from the image stream to the test data; determining a checksum based on the processed test data; comparing the determined checksum to an expected checksum to determine that the test data was successfully processed; and outputting an indication that the test data was successfully processed.