Showing papers on "Blackfin published in 2015"

Real time implementation of MELP speech compression algorithm using Blackfin processors

Abstract: A large part of the latest research in speech coding algorithms is motivated by the need of obtaining secure military communications, to allow effective operation in a hostile environment. Since the bandwidth of the communication channel is a sensitive problem in military applications, low bit-rate speech compression methods are mostly used. Several speech processing applications such as Mixed Excitation Linear Prediction are characterized by very strict requirements in power consumption, size, and voltage supply. These requirements are difficult to fulfill, given the complexity and number of functions to be implemented, together with the real time requirement and large dynamic range of the input signals. To meet these constraints, careful optimization should be done at all levels, ranging from algorithmic level, through system and circuit architecture, to layout and design of the cell library. The key points of this optimization are among others, the choice of the algorithms, the modification of the algorithms to reduce computational complexity, the choice of a fixed-point arithmetic unit, the minimization of the number of bits required at every node of the algorithm, and a careful match between algorithms and architecture. This paper concentrates on low bit rate speech coding technology, mainly in MELP and solved the problem of optimizing the program of MELP on Digital Signal Processor platform. The algorithm was ported onto a fixed point DSP, Blackfin 537, and stage by stage optimization was performed to meet the real time requirements. The main functions involved were analysis, parameter encoding, parameter decoding and synthesis. The fixed point source code at the MELP front end was also thoroughly optimized at the C Level. Memory optimization techniques such as data placement and caching were also used to reduce the processing time. The results we obtained show that real-time implementations of a speech vocoder based on the MELP standard for low bit rate communications (2400 bps) can be successful on DSP platforms.

Acoustic-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed-point detector based on high-performance DSP

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable and visual acoustic-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed-point detector based on a high-performance 32-bit DSP. The detector is mainly composed of a high-performance Blackfin DSP processor of 533MHz and a peripheral circuit thereof, and comprises external circuit systems such as a fully directional high-sensitivity ground penetrating microphone sensor and a conditioning circuit thereof, a digital audio amplifier and a hi-fi audio scale tone quality output earphone and a TFT true color liquid crustal screen. The empirical mode decomposition filter technical is adopted for the detection data and an intelligent background denoising function is realized. A true fault point within the range from the test point to the cable can be calculated by use of two methods: one is based on the volume of the impact discharge noise, while the other one is based on the time difference of arrival of an acoustical signal and a magnetic field signal simultaneously generated by the fault point at the discharge moment in the sensor. The detector has extremely high calculation accuracy and fast calculation speed, powerful strong electromagnetic interference resistance, multifunctional integration and extremely high integrity.

Distance monitoring vision system for automobiles using image processing

Abstract: This study aims to create a vision system for vehicles that would prevent frontal collisions. The system is more of an aid to the driver, giving notifications whenever there is a possibility of collision. With the use of a camera, this system is able to get series of images that would undergo processes of detection and distance calculations. And by utilizing OpenCV, detection of vehicles through Haar and distance measurement by perspective warping have been possible. Critical distances relative to the current speed of the system's vehicle is the point of comparison that would result to proper notification of Green LED, Red Led or Red LED + buzzer. The On-board Diagnostic 2 terminal of newer vehicles enables input of speed to the system. And overall, the processes happen in an embedded system (Blackfin ADSP 537) that allows stand- alone operation, thus creating a system that works while on the road.

Improved load balancing and scheduling performance in embedded systems with task migration

Abstract: This paper presents a migration mechanism for tasks running in nodes of a wireless sensor network (WSN). The WSN is consisted of digital signal processing nodes implemented with Blackfin microcomputers with Micrium µC OS III operating system. The migration mechanism allows load balancing, better scheduling of the tasks and allow cooperative signal processing at the whole network and it is useful in case of the node failures as well. This mechanism uses the Micrium operating system primitives in order to decide when the task migration will be started and to control the whole migration process. The communication network is provided by Lightweight Internet Protocol (LwIP) protocol. A performance evaluation (load balance, migration time and missed deadlines ratio) is performed. The paper demonstrates viable implementation of tasks migration in embedded systems and illustrates a better performance of the load balancing and the tasks scheduling.

Rapid heterogeneous prototyping from Simulink

Abstract: Designing embedded high-performance systems is challenging due to complex algorithms, real-time operations and conflicting goals (e.g. power v.s. performance). Heterogeneous platforms that combine processors and custom hardware accelerators are a promising approach. However, manually designing HW/SW systems is prohibitively expensive due to the immense manual effort. This paper introduces SimSH: Simulink Sw/Hw CoDesign Framework, which provides an automatic path from an algorithm captured in Simulink to a heterogeneous implementation. Given an allocation and a mapping decision, the SimSH automatically synthesizes the Simulink model onto the heterogeneous target with reconstruction of the synchronization and communication between processing elements. In the process, the SimSH detects an underutilized bus and optimizes communication by packing/unpacking. Synthesizing a heterogeneous implementation from Simulink allows the developer to focus on the algorithm design with rapid validation and test on a heterogeneous platform. We demonstrate synthesis benefits using a Sobel Edge Detection algorithm and target a heterogeneous architecture of Blackfin processor and Spar-tan3E FPGA. The synthesized solution is 2.68x faster (and energy efficient) over pure SW execution.

Acousto-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed point detection apparatus based on high-performance DSP

Abstract: The utility model relates to an acousto-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed point detection apparatus based on a high-performance DSP. The acousto-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed point detection apparatus is formed by combination of a 533MHz high-performance Blackfin DSP processor and peripheral circuits thereof, and comprises external circuit systems such as an all-directional high-sensitivity ground penetrating microphone sensor and a conditioning circuit thereof, a digital audio amplifier and a hi-fi audio grade timbre output earphone, and a TFT true color liquid crystal screen and the like. An empirical mode decomposition filtering technology is adopted by data detection, and an intelligent background noise reduction function is fulfilled. Real fault points of a cable from a test point can be calculated by two methods, one method is calculating volume of an impulsive discharge noise, and the other method is calculating difference of time when an acoustical signal and a magnetic field signal which are simultaneously transmitted at a fault point discharge time reach the sensor. The acousto-magnetic synchronous cable fault fixed point detection apparatus has extremely high calculating precision and extremely fast calculating speed, high electromagnetic interference resistance capability is high, multiple functions are synthesized, and integrated level is high.

Rapid Heterogeneous Prototyping from Simulink

Abstract: Designing embedded high-performance systems is challenging due to complex algorithms, real-time operations and conflicting goals (e.g. power v.s. performance). Heterogeneous platforms that combine processors and custom hardware accelerators are a promising approach. However, manually designing HW/SW systems is prohibitively expensive due to the immense manual effort. This paper introduces SimSH: Simulink Sw/Hw CoDesign Framework, which provides an automatic path from an algorithm captured in Simulink to a heterogeneous implementation. Given an allocation and a mapping decision, the SimSH automatically synthesizes the Simulink model onto the heterogeneous target with reconstruction of the synchronization and communication between processingelemen ts.Intheprocess, theSimSHdetectsa nunderutilized bus and optimizes communication by packing / unpacking. Synthesizing a heterogeneous implementation from Simulink allows the developer to focus on the algorithm design with rapid validation and test on a heterogeneous platform. We demonstrate synthesis benefits using a Sobel Edge Detection algorithm and target a heterogeneous architecture of Blackfin processor and Spartan3E FPGA. The synthesized solution is 2.68x faster (and energy efficient)overpu reSWexecution.