Scalable Unified Transform Architecture for Advanced Video Coding Embedded Systems

A novel high throughput and scalable unified architecture for the computation of the transform operations in video codecs for advanced standards is presented in this paper. This structure can be used as a hardware accelerator in modern embedded systems to efficiently compute all the two-dimensional 4 x 4 and 2 x 2 transforms of the H.264/AVC standard. Moreover, its highly flexible design and hardware efficiency allows it to be easily scaled in terms of performance and hardware cost to meet the specific requirements of any given video coding application. Experimental results obtained using a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA demonstrated the superior performance and hardware efficiency levels provided by the proposed structure, which presents a throughput per unit of area relatively higher than other similar recently published designs targeting the H.264/AVC standard. Such results also showed that, when integrated in a multi-core embedded system, this architecture provides speedup factors of about 120x concerning pure software implementations of the transform algorithms, therefore allowing the computation, in real-time, of all the above mentioned transforms for Ultra High Definition Video (UHDV) sequences (4,320 x 7,680 @ 30 fps).

Parallel GPU architecture for hyperspectral unmixing based on augmented Lagrangian method

Hyperspectral imaging has become one of the main topics in remote sensing applications, which comprise hundreds of spectral bands at different (almost contiguous) wavelength channels over the same area generating large data volumes comprising several GBs per flight. This high spectral resolution can be used for object detection and for discriminate between different objects based on their spectral characteristics. One of the main problems involved in hyperspectral analysis is the presence of mixed pixels, which arise when the spacial resolution of the sensor is not able to separate spectrally distinct materials. Spectral unmixing is one of the most important task for hyperspectral data exploitation. However, the unmixing algorithms can be computationally very expensive, and even high power consuming, which compromises the use in applications under on-board constraints. In recent years, graphics processing units (GPUs) have evolved into highly parallel and programmable systems. Specifically, several hyperspectral imaging algorithms have shown to be able to benefit from this hardware taking advantage of the extremely high floating-point processing performance, compact size, huge memory bandwidth, and relatively low cost of these units, which make them appealing for onboard data processing. In this paper, we propose a parallel implementation of an augmented Lagragian based method for unsupervised hyperspectral linear unmixing on GPUs using CUDA. The method called simplex identification via split augmented Lagrangian (SISAL) aims to identify the endmembers of a scene, i.e., is able to unmix hyperspectral data sets in which the pure pixel assumption is violated. The efficient implementation of SISAL method presented in this work exploits the GPU architecture at low level, using shared memory and coalesced accesses to memory.

A fast parallel hyperspectral coded aperture algorithm for compressive sensing using OpenCL

In this paper, we develop a fast implementation of an hyperspectral coded aperture (HYCA) algorithm on different platforms using OpenCL, an open standard for parallel programing on heterogeneous systems, which includes a wide variety of devices, from dense multicore systems from major manufactures such as Intel or ARM to new accelerators such as graphics processing units (GPUs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), the Intel Xeon Phi and other custom devices. Our proposed implementation of HYCA significantly reduces its computational cost. Our experiments have been conducted using simulated data and reveal considerable acceleration factors. This kind of implementations with the same descriptive language on different architectures are very important in order to really calibrate the possibility of using heterogeneous platforms for efficient hyperspectral imaging processing in real remote sensing missions.

Projecto de execu����o de funda����es e estruturas de uma ponte em bet��o armado pr��-esfor��ado

Este Trabalho refere-se ao Projecto de Execu����o de Funda����es e Estruturas de uma Ponte Rodovi��ria em bet��o armado pr��-esfor��ado, realizado no ��mbito do Trabalho Final de Mestrado em Engenharia Civil ��� Especializa����o em Estruturas, do Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa. O Projecto de Execu����o �� composto de Pe��as Escritas e Pe��as Desenhadas. Nas Pe��as Escritas est��o inclu��dos: Mem��ria Justificativa e Descritiva; C��lculos Justificativos e Anexos. A ponte �� composta por dois tabuleiros paralelos com 10,28m de largura cada um e afastados entre si de 0,10m. A obra �� constitu��da de 8 tramos; os tramos correntes com 31m de comprimento e os tramos extremos com 25 e 20m de comprimento, perfazendo um comprimento total de 231m. A obra foi parcialmente isolada dos sismos pela introdu����o, em todos os pilares, de aparelhos de apoio de elevado amortecimento s��smico do tipo HDRB (High Damping Rubber Bearings). Encontram-se particularmente discriminadas e detalhadas neste projecto as seguintes situa����es: - C��lculo do Pr��-esfor��o e respectivas perdas; - Ac����o das sobrecargas rodovi��rias; - Diferen��a de comportamento da obra na entrada em servi��o e no longo prazo; - An��lise s��smica e do isolamento s��smico; - Estudo dos efeitos diferidos: retrac����o e flu��ncia. Tendo as abordagens de c��lculo e as verifica����es de seguran��a seguido a regulamenta����o nacional em vigor, nomeadamente RSA e REBAP, foi no entanto feita uma aproxima����o ��s regras do ���Capacity Design��� previstas no EC8, em que se privilegia a actua����o do projectista sobre o comportamento da estrutura, procurando uma resposta n��o linear da mesma, visando garantir que: - A rotura n��o ocorrer�� nos elementos de funda����o; - Nos pilares a dissipa����o de energia se faz atrav��s de r��tulas pl��sticas, evitando-se roturas associadas a esfor��os transversos. A aplica����o destas regras neste Projecto demonstrou haver um agravamento substancial na defini����o dos esfor��os a que devem resistir alguns dos componentes da estrutura, designadamente os pilares e as funda����es, originando solu����es de sec����es de bet��o e armaduras bem mais exigentes do que aqueles que resultariam da simples verifica����o de seguran��a, pela compara����o entre esfor��os actuante e esfor��os resistentes ���sec����o a sec����o���, imposta pela actual regulamenta����o nacional.

Analisador de vibra����es de dois canais baseado em computador

O presente trabalho teve como principal objectivo o desenvolvimento de um analisador de vibra����es de dois canais baseado em computador, para a realiza����o de diagn��stico no ��mbito do controlo de condi����o de m��quinas. Foi desenvolvida uma aplica����o num computador comum, no software LabVIEW, que atrav��s de transdutores de acelera����o do tipo MEMS conectados via USB, faz a recolha de dados de vibra����o e procede ao seu processamento e apresenta����o ao utilizador. As ferramentas utilizadas para o processamento de dados s��o ferramentas comuns encontradas em v��rios analisadores de vibra����es dispon��veis no mercado. Estas podem ser: gr��ficos de espectro de frequ��ncia, sinal no tempo, cascata ou valores de n��vel global de vibra����o, entre outras. Apesar do analisador desenvolvido n��o apresentar inova����o nas ferramentas de an��lise adoptadas, este pretende ser distinguido pelo baixo custo, simplicidade e car��cter did��ctico. Este trabalho vem evidenciar as vantagens, desvantagens e potencialidades de um analisador desta natureza. S��o tiradas algumas conclus��es quanto �� sua capacidade de diagn��stico de avarias, capacidades como ferramenta did��ctica, sensores utilizados e linguagem de programa����o escolhida. Como conclus��es principais, o trabalho revela que os sensores escolhidos n��o s��o os indicados para efectuar o diagn��stico de avarias em ambiente industrial, contudo s��o ideais para tornar este analisador numa boa ferramenta did��ctica e de treino.

Concep����o de uma pequena turbina e��lica destinada ao segmento dom��stico (simplifica����o e an��lise aerodin��mica das p��s)

O trabalho que se apresenta incide sobre o estudo aerodin��mico das p��s de uma turbina e��lica de pequeno porte, com vista �� simplifica����o geom��trica, de forma a que estas sejam baratas e de f��cil concep����o. A teoria da quantidade de movimento do elemento de p�� (BEMT), que �� o modelo de refer��ncia para o projecto e an��lise aerodin��mica das p��s das turbinas e��licas, foi utilizada neste trabalho de forma a projectar e analisar aerodinamicamente as p��s da turbina. Sendo assim, desenvolveu-se um programa computacional em MATLAB, denominado de ���Turbina���, de forma a implementar a teoria BEM. Introduzindo os dados dos par��metros de projecto no programa (pot��ncia requerida, o n��mero de p��s, velocidade do vento, a TSR e o tipo de perfil alar), obt��m-se os par��metros geom��tricos das p��s (distribui����o da corda ao longo da envergadura, o raio da p�� e a distribui����o da tor����o da p��), os par��metros aerodin��micos e de desempenho. Uma p�� ideal foi calculada e de seguida foi modificada de forma a obter-se uma p�� simples e menos carregada aerodinamicamente. Introduzidas as modifica����es na geometria da p�� ideal, obtiveram-se duas configura����es distintas. Uma configura����o linear, onde a distribui����o da corda e do ��ngulo de tor����o se tornam lineares, e outra configura����o bi-linear, onde a distribui����o da corda continua linear mas o ��ngulo de tor����o se torna bi-linear, isto ��, a p�� �� composta por dois tro��os onde cada tro��o apresenta uma distribui����o linear do ��ngulo de tor����o geom��trica. As conclus��es demonstram que a configura����o bi-linear �� uma boa alternativa a configura����o ideal, apresentando uma redu����o do desempenho do rotor de 2.8% para um aumento do raio da p�� em 1.41%, para se obter a mesma pot��ncia da configura����o ideal. A an��lise aos perfis alares, utilizados neste trabalho, foi efectuada a partir dos programas comerciais ICEM e FLUENT. De forma a automatizar a an��lise de CFD, tr��s programas foram desenvolvidos utilizando a linguagem de programa����o ���C���. Os programas s��o denominados de ���Malha2D���, ���Calcula_Coeficientes��� e ���Plot_Graficos���. Finalmente, um estudo param��trico foi feito de forma a avaliar a influ��ncias das vari��veis de projecto no desempenho geral da turbina.

Scheduling of head-dependent cascaded hydro systems: Mixed-integer quadratic programming approach

This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro, scheduling, particularly concerning head-dependent cascaded hydro systems. We propose a novel mixed-integer quadratic programming approach, considering not only head-dependency, but also discontinuous operating regions and discharge ramping constraints. Thus, an enhanced short-term hydro scheduling is provided due to the more realistic modeling presented in this paper. Numerical results from two case studies, based on Portuguese cascaded hydro systems, illustrate the proficiency of the proposed approach.

An ultrasound based computer-aided diagnosis tool for steatosis detection

Liver steatosis is a common disease usually associated with social and genetic factors. Early detection and quantification is important since it can evolve to cirrhosis. In this paper, a new computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for steatosis classification, in a local and global basis, is presented. Bayes factor is computed from objective ultrasound textural features extracted from the liver parenchyma. The goal is to develop a CAD screening tool, to help in the steatosis detection. Results showed an accuracy of 93.33%, with a sensitivity of 94.59% and specificity of 92.11%, using the Bayes classifier. The proposed CAD system is a suitable graphical display for steatosis classification.

Parallel implementation of vertex component analysis for hyperspectral endmember extraction

International Conference with Peer Review 2012 IEEE International Conference in Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 22-27 July 2012, Munich, Germany

Rob��tica m��vel: sistema de condu����o aut��noma

Disserta����o para obten����o do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrot��cnica Ramo Automa����o e Electr��nica Industrial

Avalia����o da caracteriza����o de les��es em mamografia com recurso a sistemas CAD (Computer-Aided Diagnosis)

Os sistemas Computer-Aided Diagnosis (CAD) auxiliam a dete����o e diferencia����o de les��es benignas e malignas, aumentando a performance no diagn��stico do cancro da mama. As les��es da mama est��o fortemente correlacionadas com a forma do contorno: les��es benignas apresentam contornos regulares, enquanto as les��es malignas tendem a apresentar contornos irregulares. Desta forma, a utiliza����o de medidas quantitativas, como a dimens��o fractal (DF), pode ajudar na caracteriza����o dos contornos regulares ou irregulares de uma les��o. O principal objetivo deste estudo �� verificar se a utiliza����o concomitante de 2 (ou mais) medidas de DF ��� uma tradicionalmente utilizada, a qual foi designada por ���DF de contorno���; outra proposta por n��s, designada por ���DF de ��rea��� ��� e ainda 3 medidas obtidas a partir destas, por opera����es de dilata����o/eros��o e por normaliza����o de uma das medidas anteriores, melhoram a capacidade de caracteriza����o de acordo com a escala BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) e o tipo de les��o. As medidas de DF (DF contorno e DF ��rea) foram calculadas atrav��s da aplica����o do m��todo box-counting, diretamente em imagens de les��es segmentadas e ap��s a aplica����o de um algoritmo de dilata����o/eros��o. A ��ltima medida baseia-se na diferen��a normalizada entre as duas medidas DF de ��rea antes e ap��s a aplica����o do algoritmo de dilata����o/eros��o. Os resultados demonstram que a medida DF de contorno �� uma ferramenta ��til na diferencia����o de les��es, de acordo com a escala BIRADS e o tipo de les��o; no entanto, em algumas situa����es, ocorrem alguns erros. O uso combinado desta medida com as quatro medidas propostas pode melhorar a classifica����o das les��es.

BIT: Biosignal Igniter Toolkit

The study of biosignals has had a transforming role in multiple aspects of our society, which go well beyond the health sciences domains to which they were traditionally associated with. While biomedical engineering is a classical discipline where the topic is amply covered, today biosignals are a matter of interest for students, researchers and hobbyists in areas including computer science, informatics, electrical engineering, among others. Regardless of the context, the use of biosignals in experimental activities and practical projects is heavily bounded by the cost, and limited access to adequate support materials. In this paper we present an accessible, albeit versatile toolkit, composed of low-cost hardware and software, which was created to reinforce the engagement of different people in the field of biosignals. The hardware consists of a modular wireless biosignal acquisition system that can be used to support classroom activities, interface with other devices, or perform rapid prototyping of end-user applications. The software comprehends a set of programming APIs, a biosignal processing toolbox, and a framework for real time data acquisition and postprocessing. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wind-CSP short-term coordination by MILP approach

This paper is on the maximization of total profit in a day-ahead market for a price-taker producer needing a short-term scheduling for wind power plants coordination with concentrated solar power plants, having thermal energy storage systems. The optimization approach proposed for the maximization of profit is a mixed-integer linear programming problem. The approach considers not only transmission grid constraints, but also technical operating constraints on both wind and concentrated solar power plants. Then, an improved short-term scheduling coordination is provided due to the more accurate modelling presented in this paper. Computer simulation results based on data for the Iberian wind and concentrated solar power plants illustrate the coordination benefits and show the effectiveness of the approach.

Parallel hyperspectral unmixing on GPUs

This letter presents a new parallel method for hyperspectral unmixing composed by the efficient combination of two popular methods: vertex component analysis (VCA) and sparse unmixing by variable splitting and augmented Lagrangian (SUNSAL). First, VCA extracts the endmember signatures, and then, SUNSAL is used to estimate the abundance fractions. Both techniques are highly parallelizable, which significantly reduces the computing time. A design for the commodity graphics processing units of the two methods is presented and evaluated. Experimental results obtained for simulated and real hyperspectral data sets reveal speedups up to 100 times, which grants real-time response required by many remotely sensed hyperspectral applications.

BITalino: a novel hardware framework for physiological computing

Physical computing has spun a true global revolution in the way in which the digital interfaces with the real world. From bicycle jackets with turn signal lights to twitter-controlled christmas trees, the Do-it-Yourself (DiY) hardware movement has been driving endless innovations and stimulating an age of creative engineering. This ongoing (r)evolution has been led by popular electronics platforms such as the Arduino, the Lilypad, or the Raspberry Pi, however, these are not designed taking into account the specific requirements of biosignal acquisition. To date, the physiological computing community has been severely lacking a parallel to that found in the DiY electronics realm, especially in what concerns suitable hardware frameworks. In this paper, we build on previous work developed within our group, focusing on an all-in-one, low-cost, and modular biosignal acquisition hardware platform, that makes it quicker and easier to build biomedical devices. We describe the main design considerations, experimental evaluation and circuit characterization results, together with the results from a usability study performed with volunteers from multiple target user groups, namely health sciences and electrical, biomedical, and computer engineering. Copyright �� 2014 SCITEPRESS - Science and Technology Publications. All rights reserved.