Abstract: The properties and data structure of distance histogram algorithm of three-dimensional space data were analyzed, and a general computing method based on graphics processor and a high performance computing method based on FPGA were proposed. The calculation method based on graphics processor is used to implement single instruction multiple data parallel optimization of distance histogram algorithm of three-dimensional space data; the calculation method based on FPGA can realize hardware block optimization, and achieve the optimal matching of the hardware structure of the algorithm. The experimental results show that using the calculation method based on graphics processor can make the algorithm reach performance acceleration with an average of 18 times, and the computing method based on FPGA can make the algorithm reach performance acceleration with an average of 30 times, which greatly improve data processing ability of the algorithm.