一种低成本的视频数字图象获取方法在微计算机系统中的实现

本文阐述一种用二值影象组合装配获取视频数字图象的方法.按照这一方法,用标准电 视摄象机和八位微处理器实现了一个价廉而灵活的微计算机图象处理系统.文中给出了系统 视频图象输入接口结构框图及软件操作命令.该系统获取图象的最大能力为256×256,十六 灰度级;具有两种可以灵活选择的程序控制方式;以每灰度级40ms的速度输入局部图象,或 以每灰度级1800ms的速度(采用2MHz的8080A MPU)获取整幅图象.     

Characterization of miniaturized one-side-electrode-type fluid-based inclinometer

In this study, electrical double-layer theory is applied to realize a one-side-electrode-type fluid-based inclinometer combined with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry. Substrate penetration lithography was applied in the fabrication of high-aspect-ratio SU-8 container molds, and molds with heights 1.0 mm were fabricated. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was used as the container material, and electrodes were fabricated on a ceramic substrate. Considering the electrical double-layer property, low surface tension, the dielectric constant and the problem of volatilization, methanol and propylene carbonate were tested as electrolytes. A charge-balanced capacitance–voltage (C–V) conversion circuit was designed as a detection circuit for this sensor and it was fabricated using 0.35 μm CMOS technology. The sensor part and detection circuit were integrated in one ceramic packaging for realize a miniaturization of inclination sensor system. To overcome the surface tension of the PDMS surface, silicone oil was injected in the container to cover the entire inner surface so that the movement of solution in the container became smooth. The linearity of the analog output of ±60° inclination for container dimensions of Ø 4.0 mm × 1.0 mm (diameter × thickness) was less than 6%/F.S. The minimum moving angle and response time were 0.4° and 0.9 s, respectively, when propylene carbonate was used as the electrolyte. The change in temperature did not affect the output voltage of the sensor between 0 and 50 °C. The effect of vibration was demonstrated in this paper.     

Vacuum fluorescent displays: from single digits to colour TV

Physical principles and operational characteristics of various vacuum fluorescent displays are outlined. A VFD history and details of construction are also given. Displays of various resolutions for different applications are described up to a 256 × 256 dot matrix unit. Uniform brightness and precise switching operation are realized using improved anode and grid electrode construction, anode baseplate processing, and grid configuration and its fixing processes. A scrolling VFD and a MOS FET switching array VFD are introduced. The latter uses an integrated circuit of 241 × 246 elements to produce a picture 23 × 23 mm. Prospects for the development of VFDs are given in conclusion.     

High sensitivity ethanol gas sensor integrated with a solid-state heater and thermal isolation improvement structure for legal drink-drive limit detecting

The paper reports the successful fabrication of ethanol gas sensors with tin-dioxide (SnO₂) thin films integrated with a solid-state heater, which is realized with technologies of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), and are compatible with VLSI processes. The main sensing part with dimensions of 450×400 μm² in this developed device is composed of a sensing SnO₂ film, which is fabricated by electron-gun evaporation with proper annealing in ambient oxygen gas to yield fine particles and good structure. An integrated solid-state heater with a 4.5 μm-thick cantilever bridge (1000×500 μm²) structure is made of silicon carbide (SiC) material by MEMS technologies. The sensitivity for 1000 ppm ethanol gas reaches as high as 90 with 10 s and 2 min for the response and recovery time, respectively, at an operating temperature of 300°C. Those experimental results also exhibit a much superior performance to that of a popular commercial ethanol gas sensor TGS-822. Therefore, the developed sensor with high performance is a good candidate for some specific application in automobile to detect drink-drive limit and allows an array integration available with various films for controlling each element at separate resistance.     

A flexible mixed-signal image processing pipeline using 3D chip stacks

This work presents a highly flexible mixed-signal CMOS image sensor suitable for smart camera applications. These systems need to fit different constraints regarding power consumption, speed and quality, and the optimal compromise may differ depending on the application. Moreover, the best implementation of a desired image processing task may be in the analog or the digital domain, or even a combined computation. Different aspects starting from the image sensor and signal acquisition up to the pre-processing in analog and digital domain are investigated in this paper to optimize not just one part of the system, but the whole system altogether. Moreover, it is shown that analog processing algorithms can improve signal quality, processing speed and latency while being able to save power, which is important for real-time systems. In order to be able to carry out spatial operations, the state-of-the-art sensor is modified to be able to read out multiple pixels at the same time. This allows analog spatial filter operations which consume significantly less power. As an example, an averaging filter is described which needs less than 5.3 % of the power–time product of a digital implementation for one computation. To enhance data throughput and flexibility, 3D chip stacking is proposed to partition the sensor in smaller units and enable massively parallel processing.     

An algorithm for hidden line ruled surface display using microprocessor

A simple algorithm for hidden line Ruled Surface graphics, typically used in Radio Astronomy is discussed using low cost microcomputer system built around Motorola 6800 processor and Matrox 256**2 graphics module of raster size 256 × 256 points. Resolution of the plot can be improved by displaying on a bigger raster like 1024 × 1024 points.     

Extracting compact objects using linked pyramids

This correspondence describes a method of extracting compact regions from images using three multiresolution (``pyramid') representations of image features. The method makes use of a gray-level pyramid in which linking of similar nodes at successive levels smooths the image into uniform regions; an edge pyramid in which linking of similarly oriented edge elements serves to delineate the boundaries of the detected regions; and a ``surroundedness' pyramid in which pixels surrounded by edges are detected.     

InGaAs Geiger-mode three-dimensional image sensor for flash LIDAR

Three-dimensional (3D) image sensors are requested by planetary explorers to detect obstacles around landing sites during the landing process and to measure the relative distance and attitude of an orbiting spacecraft during rendezvous docking procedures. Three-dimensional image sensors are also requested in many other fields, including as sensors for autonomous vehicles. In flash LIDAR, a sensor acquires 3D images using the diffuse emission of a pulsed laser, making it suitable for applications like obstacle detection and terrain measurement. We fabricated a prototype 3D image sensor with a temporal resolution of 500 ps and dimensions of 128 × 128 pixels using an InGaAs Geiger mode avalanche photodiode, which is capable of counting photons in the eye-safe band, as the light receiving sensor. This report gives an overview of the prototype sensor and its functions, a detailed evaluation of its time measurement performance, and details of imaging experiments under sunlight.     

Image compression sensor based on column parallel architecture

We propose a novel image sensor which has compression function on its sensor plane. The image compression sensor can significantly reduce the amount of pixel data output from the sensor. The proposed sensor is intended to overcome the communication bottle neck for high pixel rate imaging such as high frame rate imaging and high resolution imaging.

The compression algorithm is based on conditional replenishment. It detects motion and encodes only the pixels in moving areas. We have been investigating pixel parallel and column parallel architectures of the image compression sensor. In this paper, we present the column parallel architecture of the proposed sensor. In this architecture, fill factor and power dissipation are comparable to conventional MOS sensors in spite of integration of the processing circuits. We have fabricated a prototype chip based on the column parallel architecture. We describe the circuit and layout design and the results of some experiments using the prototype.     

Integrated optical pH sensor using replicated chirped grating coupler sensor chips

Integrated optical sensor chips suitable for high-resolution pH measurements are presented. The pH-sensitive swelling of a polymer membrane is detected by refractometry using a compact multi-channel sensor module. The signal transduction is achieved by means of chirped grating couplers which allow simple yet high functionality sensor modules to be built. The experiments have been performed with high sensitivity replicated polycarbonate TiO₂ waveguide sensor chips coated with an ultrathin photopatterned hydrogel membrane having functional groups which reversibly change from the neutral state to a charged state upon acidification. A resolution δpH <±1.1×10⁻⁴ in terms of the pH (at pH 7.5) has been obtained in a dual-channel module with size 10×10×10 cm³.     

A fast, FPGA-based MPEG-2 video encoder with a novel automatic quality control scheme

A novel video encoder that controls image quality on the fly is presented along with its FPGA implementation. As a result of this new feature, which uses a concept called pruning, the processing speed increases by a factor of two when compared to the conventional method of processing without pruning. The FPGA implementation conforms to MPEG-2 standards and is capable of processing color pictures of sizes up to 1024×768 pixels at the real time rate of 25 frames/s.     

基于视觉与电弧多信息传感的焊缝跟踪算法

随着焊接传感技术以及信号处理技术的快速发展,人们越来越注重对焊接过程质量控制的研究,而多传感器信息融合技术是焊接质量控制的一种重要的方法,采用该技术实现熔化极气体保护焊(MIG)脉冲焊接质量的自动控制。该技术采用了视觉传感器和电弧传感器将采集的不同的描述信息进行了有效的特征提取和传输,并运用多传感器信息融合算法进行焊缝的跟踪。视觉传感器利用工业电荷耦合元件(CCD)获取图像信息控制焊炬的横向偏差信息,电弧传感器利用数据采集卡获取电流信息控制焊炬的高度互补偏差信息和横向的冗余信息,将两种传感器得到的冗余信息和互补信息在特征层下进行融合实现焊接过程横向和高度的纠偏控制。冗余信息的融合可以实现视觉传感的图像去噪,而互补信息的融合可以进一步提高焊缝跟踪的精度。实验结果表明,所提算法能够较好地提高焊接的质量,从而也验证了算法的有效性和合理性。     

Development of a highly sensitive and selective optical chemical sensor for batch and flow-through determination of mercury ion

A very sensitive, highly selective and reversible optical chemical sensor (optode) for mercury ion is described. The sensor is based on the interaction of Hg²⁺ with 2-mercapto-2-thiazoline (MTZ) in plasticized PVC membrane incorporating a proton-selective chromoionophore (ETH5294) and lipophilic anionic sites (sodium tetraphenylborate, NaTPB). The membranes were cast onto glass substrates and used for the determination of mercury ion in aqueous solutions by batch and flow-through methods. The sensor could be used in the range 2.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ M (0.04 ng mL⁻¹ to 3 μg mL⁻¹) Hg²⁺ with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻¹¹ M and a response time of <40 s. It can be easily and completely regenerated by dilute nitric acid solution. The sensor has been incorporated into a home-made flow-through cell for determination of mercury ion in flowing streams with improved sensitivity, precision and detection limit. The sensor showed excellent selectivity for Hg²⁺ with respect to several common alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. The results obtained for the determination of mercury ion in river water samples using the proposed optode was found to be comparable with the well-established cold-vapor atomic absorption method.     

无线传感器网络的研究现状及发展趋势

无线传感器网络将传感器技术、通信技术、计算机技术结合在一起,具有信息采集、传输、处理的能力。传感器网络最初是由于军事的需要而发展起来的,随着传感器网络技术的逐步发展,它的应用也越来越广泛,现在已从军事防御普及到社会的各个领域。本文以综述的方式介绍了无线传感器网络的发展历史、研究现状以及未来的发展趋势,同时介绍了无线传感器网络的原理,给出了一些典型的应用。     

A wireless, remote-query sensor for real-time detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 concentrations

This paper describes the real-time detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 concentrations using a remote-query (wireless, passive) magnetoelastic sensor. The resonance frequency of a liquid immersed magnetoelastic sensor, measured through magnetic field telemetry, changes mainly in response to bacteria adhesion to the sensor and the liquid properties (viscosity, density, elasticity, etc.) of the culture medium. In the described application, during its growth and reproduction we find E. coli consumes nutrients from a liquid culture medium that decreases the solution viscosity, and in turn changes the resonance frequency of the medium-immersed magnetoelastic sensor. Using the described technique we are able to directly quantify E. coli O157:H7 concentrations of 2 × 10² to 3 × 10⁶ cells ml⁻¹, and quantify the effect of gentamycin sulfate injection (GSI) on proliferation of the bacteria. The lack of any physical connections between the sensor and the monitoring electronics facilitates aseptic operation, and makes the sensor platform ideally suited for monitoring bacteria from within, for example, sealed food containers.     

An in‐cell capacitive touch sensor integrated in an LTPS WSVGA TFT‐LCD

This paper discusses an In‐cell capacitive touch sensor and its integration in an LTPS TFT‐LCD with 7‐inch screen size and WSVGA resolution. The operation of the newly developed sensor is based on capacitive coupling between user's finger and the detection electrode on the TFT substrate, and is purely capacitive. The sensors and the sensor driver circuits have been integrated in the TFT substrate of the prototype TFT‐LCD using LTPS technology. The prototype having 256x150 sensors shows advantages such as smooth operation with no touch force, high position accuracy, multi‐touch (10 or more), a thin and light LCD module, high display quality, and thus is suitable for various applications such as cell‐phones, smart‐phones, mobile‐PCs, and automotive‐use displays.     

智能CO探测器设计

设计了一种基于电化学传感器的CO探测器,探测器使用CO—7G燃料电池型电化学CO传感器,分析了CO电化学传感器的工作原理与探测器的电路组成。其中,探测器的硬件电路由电化学传感器的信号调理电路、数码管显示电路、单片机数据处理与控制电路、4~20mA模拟输出电路、继电器控制电路等组成。对采集的数据采用均值滤波算法,提高了系统的灵敏度,减少了探测器的响应时间,降低了误报警率。实验结果表明:该CO探测器的误差小于0.001 16 mg/L,在1个月的时间内其误差没有超过0.005 82 mg/L。该CO探测器灵敏度高,响应时间短,测量精度高,稳定性好,具有很高的实用价值。     

Surface plasmon resonance sensor based on a single-mode polarization-maintaining optical fiber

A novel wavelength modulation-based fiber-optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor is reported which utilizes both polarization separation and broad band radiation depolarization in polarization-maintaining fibers to enhance sensor stability. Theoretical analysis of the sensing structure with ideally separated polarizations based on the mode of expansion and propagation method is presented. The effect of polarization cross-coupling was also analyzed in the approximation of an equivalent bulk optic structure. A laboratory prototype of the fiber-optic SPR sensor was characterized in terms of sensitivity and resolution. Experimental results indicate that this fiber-optic SPR sensor is able to resolve refractive index changes as low as 4×10⁻⁶ under moderate fiber deformations.     

Searching for optimal sensitivity of single-mode D-type optical fiber sensor in the phase measurement

To improve the sensitivity of a single-mode D-type optical fiber sensor, we selected a D-type optical fiber sensor with 4 mm long and 4 μm core thickness made of a single-mode fiber, a Au-coating on the sensor with a thickness range of 15–32 nm, a light wavelength of 632.8 nm, and an incident angle of 86.5–89.5° for different refractive index (1.33–1.40) sensing. These simulations are based on the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) theory using the phase method which shows that the sensitivity is proportional to the refractive index, Au film thickness and lower incident angle on the sensing interface. The sensitivity is higher than 4000 (degree/RIU), and the resolution is better than 2.5 × 10⁻⁶(RIU) as the minimum phase variation is 0.01°. This device is used to detect the refractive index or gas or liquid concentration in real-time. The proposed sensor is small, simple, inexpensive, and provides an in vivo test.