Reconfigurable hardware implementation of a phase-correlation stereoalgorithm

This paper describes the implementation of a stereo-vision system using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Reconfigurable hardware, including FPGAs, is an attractive platform for implementing vision algorithms due to its ability to exploit parallelism often found in these algorithms, and due to the speed with which applications can be developed as compared to hardware. The system outputs 8-bit, subpixel disparity estimates for 256× 360 pixel images at 30,fps. A local-weighted phase correlation algorithm for stereo disparity [Fleet, D. J.: {Int. Conf. Syst. Man Cybernetics 1:48–54 (1994)] is implemented. Despite the complexity of performing correlations on multiscale, multiorientation phase data, the system runs as much as 300 times faster in hardware than its software implementation. This paper describes the hardware platform used, the algorithm, and the issues encountered during its hardware implementation. Of particular interest is the implementation of multiscale, steerable filters, which are widely used in computer vision algorithms. Several trade-offs (reducing the number of filter orientations from three to two, using fixed-point computation, changing the location of one localized low-pass filter, and using L1 instead of L2 norms) were required to both fit the design into the available hardware and to achieve video-rate processing. Finally, results from the system are given both for synthetic data sets as well as several standard stereo-pair test images.     

Micro assembly injection moulding

Injection moulding is established as one of the most common manufacturing processes of thermoplastics due to its high degree of automation and the short cycle times. Micro injection moulding is a rapidly growing technology that allows for the efficient production of very complex micro parts in high series. The “Market Analysis for Microsystems II 2002–2005” of the Nexus Task Force anticipates a yearly growth in the field of micro system technology of about 20% (Wechsung et al. 2002). This study identifies in addition to the continuous miniaturization the growing use of polymers in micro systems (Schneider et al. 2001). No other material group offers this wide range of material properties and permits to choose processing parameters and application properties according to necessities (Gächter 2000). While the production processes of micro technical components are mainly controllable, the assembly of these components to hybrid micro systems is a bottleneck to the industrial large scale production. The assembly itself represents a large fraction of the added product value and gains in importance with growing complexity and miniaturization of the systems.     

Modeling of a constant Voltage transformer

This paper presents a comprehensive nonlinear model of the controlled constant voltage transformer also known as the ferroresonant transformer. Saturation is a normal mode of operation for this device. This paper derives an equivalent electrical circuit that relates to the physical structure of a typical design. The level of detail includes winding resistances, continuously nonlinear magnetizing inductances, tapped windings, and leakage inductances. The paper describes methods to extract the winding resistances, leakage inductances, and hysteresis loops of the transformer and how to fit the latter into single-valued nonlinear functions. The paper compares computer simulation results of the model with those obtained analytically and experimentally. The results show that the derived circuit will be very useful for designers of the ferroresonant transformer, which is used in uninterruptible power supplies.     

探讨网络互联对嵌入式微控制器结构的影响

嵌入式控制系统正在迅速向基于CAN、802.14.5、以太网和其它网络协议的嵌入式控制网络转变。这些嵌入式网络常常通过企业内联网、外联网或互联网等与其它网络连接。随着连接性的增加,嵌入式微处理器(MCU)的结构将面临安全和带宽的问题。嵌入式系统朝着嵌入式网络的趋势发展从根     

High-resolution photonics-based interference suppression filter with wide passband

A new topology for a photonic signal processor, which overcomes the basic recursive frequency response problem that limits the passband range, is presented. The structure is based on a new multiple-wavelength offset-cavity structure that is cascaded with a series of unbalanced delay line structures. This not only can synthesize a very narrow notch response with good shape factor but also permits a multifold extension of the free spectral range (FSR) and passband width. Results on the interference mitigation filter demonstrate a stopband of 1% of center frequency and a fourfold increase in the FSR and passband width, while also having a very small shape factor, in excellent agreement with predictions.     

Assessment of Anger and Aggression in Male Offenders With Developmental Disabilities.

Systematic assessment of anger among people with developmental disabilities has been lacking, especially for hospital inpatients. Reliability and validity of anger self-report psychometric scales were investigated with 129 male patients, mostly forensic. Anger prevalence and its relationship to demographic, cognitive, and personality variables and to hospital assaultive behavior were examined. High internal and intermeasure consistency, and some concurrent validity with staff ratings, were found. Retrospective validity regarding physically assaultive behavior in the hospital was obtained. Hierarchical regressions revealed that patient-reported anger was a significant predictor of assaults postadmission, controlling for age, length of stay, IQ, violence offense history, and personality variables. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Wavelength-tunable 40-GHz picosecond harmonically mode-locked fiber laser source

We demonstrate a novel 40-GHz mode-locked fiber laser that utilizes a single active device to provide both gain and mode-locking. The laser produces pulses as short as 2.2 ps, is tunable over a 27-nm band centered at 1553 nm, and exhibits long-term stability without cavity-length feedback control. The pulse train at 1556 nm was used in a 40-Gb/s transmission experiment over 45 km with a low 0.4-dB power penalty.     

Solutions to a combined problem of excessive hydrogen sulfide in biogas and struvite scaling.

The Woodman Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Western Australia has experienced two separate problems causing avoidable maintenance costs: the build-up of massive struvite (MgNH4PO4. 6H2O) scaling downstream of the anaerobic digester and the formation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels in the digester gas to levels that compromised gas engine operation and caused high operating costs on the gas scrubber. As both problems hang together with a chemical imbalance in the anaerobic digester, we decided to investigate whether both problems could be (feasibly and economically) addressed by a common solution (such as dosing of iron solutions to precipitate both sulfide and phosphate), or by using separate approaches. Laboratory results showed that, the hydrogen sulfide emission in digesters could be effectively and economically controlled by the addition of iron dosing. Slightly higher than the theoretical value of 1.5 mol of FeCl3 was required to precipitate 1 mol of dissolved sulfide inside the digester. Due to the high concentration of PO4(3-) in the digested sludge liquor, significantly higher iron is required for struvite precipitation. Iron dosing did not appear an economic solution for struvite control via iron phosphate formation. By taking advantage of the natural tendency of struvite formation in the digester liquid, it is possible to reduce the risk of struvite precipitation in and around the sludge-dewatering centrifuge by increasing the pH to precipitate struvite out before passing through the centrifuge. However, as the Mg2+/PO4(3-) molar ratio in digested sludge was low, by increasing the pH alone (using NaOH) the precipitation of PO4(3-) was limited by the amount of cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+) available in the sludge. Although this would reduce struvite precipitation in the centrifuge, it could not significantly reduce PO4(3-) recycling back to the plant. For long-term operation, maximum PO4(3-) reduction should be the ultimate aim to minimise PO4(3-) accumulation in the plant. Magnesium hydroxide liquid (MHL) was found to be the most cost-effective chemical to achieve this goal. It enhanced struvite precipitation from both, digested sludge and centrate to the point where more than 95% PO4(3-) reduction in the digested sludge was achieved.     

Preschool Competency in Context: An Investigation of the Unique Contribution of Child Competencies to Early Academic Success.

The present concurrent study combined developmental and ecological considerations to examine the unique contribution of multiple preschool competencies to an indicator of early academic success. Participants included 195 Head Start children from 32 classrooms representative of a large, urban Head Start program. Dimensional (variable-centered) analyses revealed 3 distinct classroom competency dimensions (i.e., General Classroom Competencies, Specific Approaches to Learning, and Interpersonal Classroom Behavioral Problems). The first 2 of these dimensions were found to be uniquely associated with early academic success. Findings from typological (person-centered) analyses supported the dimensional findings. Typological analyses revealed 7 profiles of classroom competency distinguished by high scores on the dimensions of General Competencies and Approaches to Learning, and these profiles were found to relate differentially to the indicator of early academic success. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)