基于FPGA的动态目标跟踪系统设计

为了解决基于PC机的视频动态目标跟踪实时性瓶颈问题,设计出一种基于FPGA的动态目标跟踪系统。设计遵循图像处理金字塔模型,针对低层和中层算法简单、数据量大且存在一定并行性等特点采用FPGA硬件实现,而高层较复杂算法使用Nios Ⅱ软核进行C语言编程。整个设计采用Verilog-HDL对算法完成建模与实现,并在QUARTUS Ⅱ上进行了综合、布线等工作,最后以Altera公司的DE2开发板为硬件平台实现了整个系统。     

基于FPGA的新型高速CCD图像数据采集系统

介绍一种基于Actel公司Fusion StartKit FPGA的线阵CCD图像数据采集系统。以FPGA作为图像数据的控制和处理核心,通过采用高速A/D、异步FIFO、UART以及电平转换、放大滤波、二值化电路和光学系统实现对图像数据的信号处理,并运用Visual Studio C++和Microsoft公司的基本类库MFC实现对采集数据的显示、绘图、传输控制等。利用搭建的系统平台实现对物体尺寸的测量,通过对所得的数据进行分析处理,明确测量的精度和可以达到的水平。对该系统在实时监控中的优点进行分析。     

一种基于EZW改进算法的图像压缩方法研究

针对原EZW算法未能很好利用图像小波系数特点及按照频率特性量化小波系数的不足,提出了对图像小波系数进行信噪分离、阈值化处理以及对低、高频图像信息进行分阈值量化的改进算法,并给出了在保证复原图像质量情况下扫描终止的判别条件,以节省压缩时间,在实时传输中能有效地提高图像压缩效率。仿真实验结果表明,改进算法无论在扫描相同次数下的信噪比,还是相近信噪比下的压缩比都获得了较大改善,为小波变换下的图像压缩方法提供了新的思路。     

Improving the authentic learning experience by integrating robots into the mixed-reality environment

The main aim of the modern popular teaching method of authentic learning has been to provide students with everyday-life challenges that develop knowledge and skills through problem solving in different situations. Many emerging information technologies have been used to present authentic environment in pedagogical purpose. However, there are few studies that have been discussed the sense of authenticity and characters in scene and how students interact with the characters involved in the task. We designed a system, RoboStage, with authentic scenes by using mixed-reality technology and robot to investigate the difference in learning with either physical or virtual characters and learning behaviors and performance through the system. Robots were designed to play real interactive characters in the task. The experiment of the study conducted with 36 junior high students. The results indicated that RoboStage significantly improved the sense of authenticity of the task and also positively affected learning motivation. Learning performance was conditionally affected by RoboStage.     

Cognitive,social and teaching presence in a virtual world and a text chat

Using a framework of cognitive, social, and teaching presence, the nature of learning experiences in a three-dimensional virtual world environment (Second Life) and a text-chat learning environment without visuals (TeachNet) were investigated. A mixed method of code frequencies, coherence graphs, interviews, and a survey was used. The results revealed that the TeachNet debates included more cognitive presence codes that indicate higher levels of cognitive processing than in SL debates. The teams were significantly different from each other in the collaboration style for developing arguments and in the ways to use utterances associated with cognitive, social, and teaching presences, and the groups’ collaboration style became more established with more experience with the tasks. The three critical factors–tool, tasks and group cohesion–that affect cognitive, teaching, and social presence are discussed.     

Scalable continuous object detection and tracking in sensor networks

With the advancement of MEMS technologies, sensor networks have opened up broad application prospects. An important issue in wireless sensor networks is object detection and tracking, which typically involves two basic components, collaborative data processing and object location reporting. The former aims to have sensors collaborating in determining a concise digest of object location information, while the latter aims to transport a concise digest to sink in a timely manner. This issue has been intensively studied in individual objects, such as intruders. However, the characteristic of continuous objects has posed new challenges to this issue. Continuous objects can diffuse, increase in size, or split into multiple continuous objects, such as a noxious gas. In this paper, a scalable, topology-control-based approach for continuous object detection and tracking is proposed. Extensive simulations are conducted, which show a significant improvement over existing solutions.     

Enabling adaptive live streaming in P2P multipath networks

Live Internet streaming can be regarded as a major current multimedia delivery mode. Efficient delivery under changing network conditions is a severe challenge in the design of live streaming systems. This study analyzes the key considerations and factors influencing live stream quality during system operations, and attempts to improve present P2P (peer-to-peer) live streaming systems by allowing users to enjoy high quality of service under the limitations of network resources. The proposed R-D (Rate-Distortion) optimized-dynamic-nodes-join algorithm is based on multipath streaming concept and receiver-driven approach. This distributed algorithm enables the system to evaluate the current network status in order to optimize the end-to-end distortion of P2P networks and stay in the optimal status. Experiment results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.     

Combining GA and iterative searching DOA estimation for CDMA signals

This paper deals with direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation based on iterative searching technique for code-division multiple access signals. It has been shown that the iterative searching technique is more likely to converge to a local maximum, causing errors in DOA estimation. In conjunction with a genetic algorithm for selecting initial search angle, we present an efficient approach to achieve the advantages of iterative DOA estimation with fast convergence and more accuracy estimate over existing conventional spectral searching methods. Finally, several computer simulation examples are provided for illustration and comparison.     

Electroplating of nickel films at ultra low electrolytic temperature

In this paper, we have demonstrated a successful electroplating process of nickel (Ni) in a sulfamate electrolyte bath at ultra low electrolytic temperatures of 273–278 K. The potentiostatic mode is essential for the electroplating process rather than galvanostatic mode. The reason is that diffusion-limited current can be easily obtained by applying a specific potential which is higher than reduction potential. On the contrary, galvanostatic mode can not identify the diffusion-limited current and the reduction will suspend while the setting current is higher than diffusion-limited current ranged in hundreds of μA. The microstructure, morphology and hardness of the Ni electrodeposits were characterized using grazing incidence x-ray diffractometer, atomic force microscopy and nano-indentation test were performed. The hardness of Ni film was much enhanced to around 6.37 GPa at 273 K to 6.18 GPa at 278 K compared with that around 4.11 GPa at 288 K to 4.01 GPa at 293 K. The normal hardness of pure nickel is about 4 GPa. The enhanced hardness of Ni at ultra low temperature is attributed to both mechanisms of reduced grain size strengthening and residual compressive stress hardening.     

Feedback-free rate-allocation scheme for transform domain Wyner–Ziv video coding

In most existing Wyner–Ziv video coding schemes, a feedback channel (FC) is expected at the decoder in order to allocate a proper bit rate for each Wyner–Ziv frame. However, FC not only results in additional latency but also increases decoding complexity due to the several feedback-decoding iterations. Moreover, FC may be unavailable in many practical video applications. In this paper, we propose a novel feedback-free rate-allocation scheme for transform domain Wyner–Ziv video coding (TD-WZVC), which predicts the rate for each Wyner–Ziv frame at the encoder without significantly increasing the complexity of the encoder. First, a correlation estimation model is presented to characterize the relationship between the source frame and the reference frame estimated at the encoder in TD-WZVC. Then, an efficient FC-free rate-allocation algorithm is proposed and a linear model is built to avoid both overestimation and underestimation of the real rate and obtain an optimal rate-distortion performance. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme is able to achieve a good encoder rate allocation while still maintaining consistent coding efficiency.