Blackfin

Abstract: Considerable research work has been done in the area of surveillance and biometrics, where the goals have always been high performance, robustness in security and cost optimization With the emergence of more intelligent and complex video surveillance mechanisms, the issue of "privacy invasion" has been looming large Very little investment or effort has gone into looking after this issue in an efficient and cost-effective way The process of PICO (privacy through invertible cryptographic obscuration) is a way of using cryptographic techniques and combining them with image processing and video surveillance to provide a practical solution to the critical issue of "privacy invasion" This paper presents the idea and example of a realtime embedded application of the PICO technique, using uCLinux on the tiny Blackfin DSP architecture, along with a small Omnivision camera It demonstrates how the practical problem of "privacy invasion" can be successfully addressed through DSP hardware in terms of smallness in size and cost optimization After review of previous applications of "privacy protection", and system components, we discuss the "embedded jpeg-space" detection of regions of interest and the real time application of encryption techniques to improve privacy while allowing general surveillance to continue The resulting approach permits full access (violation of privacy) only by access to the private-key to recover the decryption key, thereby striking a fine trade-off among privacy, security, cost and space

Abstract: This paper describes the further engineering development and performance of the MINEHOUND affordable humanitarian mine detector, sponsored by the UK Department for International Development and developed by ERA Technology. Using a radically different patented approach from conventional ground penetrating radar (GPR) designs, in terms of the man machine interface, MINEHOUND offers simplicity of use and affordability, both key factors in humanitarian demining operations. Trials were carried out during the period 2002-2004 and have been reported at SPIE 2002 and SPIE 2004. MINEHOUND has the capability of detecting completely non-metallic mines and offers an affordable solution to hand held mine detection. The GPR is a time-domain radar transmitting 1ns duration impulses at a repetition frequency of 1MHz. The GPR transmitter- receiver and associated control and signal processing is mounted on a compact purpose designed printed circuit board 220mm by 100mm. A dedicated state of the art “Blackfin” DSP processor is used to provide all control and signal processing functions. Trials of batches of MINEHOUND are planned for 2005 in the Cambodia and Angola as well as the Balkans.

Abstract: Surveillance is emerging as a key application of camera networks. In this paper, we describe our wireless smart camera system called DSPcam designed for real-time surveillance purposes. DSPcam has a Blackfin processor, CMOS image sensor and 802.11 b/g communication module. It also integrates with a standard sensor network node such as Firefly [1], through which IEEE 802.15.4-based communication is available. An open-source image processing library ported to our DSPcam platform allows for the development of many computer vision applications. We use the in-network processing ability of each DSPcam in our system to annotate video streams with meta-data information that succinctly describes key elements of the visual data being transmitted. The meta-data can be used to trigger alerts and for conducting rapid ex post facto searches. The DSPcams use a time-synchronized communication protocol called TSAM [2] that enables transmission of a large number of video flows and dynamic allocation of bandwidth for high-priority video streams. Finally, we also describe the integration of DSPcam with Sensor Andrew, a large-scale sensing network [4] deployed across the campus of Anonymous University.

Abstract: A method of compressing electroencephalographic signals using the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) algorithm is described. The signals were compressed at a variety of different compression ratios (CRs), with the loss of signal integrity at each CR determined using the percentage root-mean squared difference between the reconstructed signal and the original. An analysis of the computational complexity of the SPIHT algorithm is also presented, using the Blackfin processor as an example implementation target.

Abstract: Multimedia processing demands efficient programming in order to optimize functionality. Data, image, audio, and video processing, some or all of which are present in all electronic devices today, are complex programming environments. Optimized algorithms (step-by-step directions) are difficult to create but can make all the difference when developing a new application.This book discusses the most current algorithms available that will maximize your programming keeping in mind the memory and real-time constraints of the architecture with which you are working. A wide range of algorithms is covered detailing basic and advanced multimedia implementations, along with, cryptography, compression, and data error correction. The general implementation concepts can be integrated into many architectures that you find yourself working with on a specific project. Analog Devices' BlackFin technology is used for examples throughout the book. *Discusses how to decrease algorithm development times to streamline your programming*Covers all the latest algorithms needed for contrained systems*Includes case studies on WiMAX, GPS, and portable media players