Real-Time Heterogeneous Video Transcoding for Low-Power Applications


Book Description

This book introduces a novel transcoding algorithm for real time video applications, designed to overcome inter-operability problems between MPEG-2 to H.264/AVC. The new algorithm achieves 92.8% reduction in the transcoding run time at a price of an acceptable Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) degradation, enabling readers to use it for real time video applications. The algorithm described is evaluated through simulation and experimental results. In addition, the authors present a hardware implementation of the new algorithm using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application-specific standard products (ASIC). • Describes a novel transcoding algorithm for real time video applications, designed to overcome inter-operability problems between H.264/AVC to MPEG-2; • Implements algorithm presented using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application-specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); • Demonstrates the solution to real problems, with verification through simulation and experimental results.







Parallel and Distributed Computing: Applications and Technologies


Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Computing, Applications and Technologies; PDCAT 2004, held in Singapore in December 2004. The 173 papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 242 submissions. The papers focus on parallel and distributed computing from the perspectives of algorithms, networking and architecture, software systems and technologies, and applications. Besides classical topics from high performance computing, major recent developments are addressed, such as molecular computing, date mining, knowledge discovery, optical networks, secure computing and communications, wireless networks, mobile computing, component-based systems, Internet computing, and Web Technologies.




Low-power HF Microelectronics


Book Description

This book brings together innovative modelling, simulation and design techniques in CMOS, SOI, GaAs and BJT to achieve successful high-yield manufacture for low-power, high-speed and reliable-by-design analogue and mixed-mode integrated systems.




Energy Efficient Embedded Video Processing Systems


Book Description

This book provides its readers with the means to implement energy-efficient video systems, by using different optimization approaches at multiple abstraction levels. The authors evaluate the complete video system with a motive to optimize its different software and hardware components in synergy, increase the throughput-per-watt, and address reliability issues. Subsequently, this book provides algorithmic and architectural enhancements, best practices and deployment models for new video systems, while considering new implementation paradigms of hardware accelerators, parallelism for heterogeneous multi- and many-core systems, and systems with long life-cycles. Particular emphasis is given to the current video encoding industry standard H.264/AVC, and one of the latest video encoders (High Efficiency Video Coding, HEVC).




Heterogeneous Multicore Processor Technologies for Embedded Systems


Book Description

To satisfy the higher requirements of digitally converged embedded systems, this book describes heterogeneous multicore technology that uses various kinds of low-power embedded processor cores on a single chip. With this technology, heterogeneous parallelism can be implemented on an SoC, and greater flexibility and superior performance per watt can then be achieved. This book defines the heterogeneous multicore architecture and explains in detail several embedded processor cores including CPU cores and special-purpose processor cores that achieve highly arithmetic-level parallelism. The authors developed three multicore chips (called RP-1, RP-2, and RP-X) according to the defined architecture with the introduced processor cores. The chip implementations, software environments, and applications running on the chips are also explained in the book. Provides readers an overview and practical discussion of heterogeneous multicore technologies from both a hardware and software point of view; Discusses a new, high-performance and energy efficient approach to designing SoCs for digitally converged, embedded systems; Covers hardware issues such as architecture and chip implementation, as well as software issues such as compilers, operating systems, and application programs; Describes three chips developed according to the defined heterogeneous multicore architecture, including chip implementations, software environments, and working applications.




Digital Design and Fabrication


Book Description

In response to tremendous growth and new technologies in the semiconductor industry, this volume is organized into five, information-rich sections. Digital Design and Fabrication surveys the latest advances in computer architecture and design as well as the technologies used to manufacture and test them. Featuring contributions from leading experts, the book also includes a new section on memory and storage in addition to a new chapter on nonvolatile memory technologies. Developing advanced concepts, this sharply focused book— Describes new technologies that have become driving factors for the electronic industry Includes new information on semiconductor memory circuits, whose development best illustrates the phenomenal progress encountered by the fabrication and technology sector Contains a section dedicated to issues related to system power consumption Describes reliability and testability of computer systems Pinpoints trends and state-of-the-art advances in fabrication and CMOS technologies Describes performance evaluation measures, which are the bottom line from the user’s point of view Discusses design techniques used to create modern computer systems, including high-speed computer arithmetic and high-frequency design, timing and clocking, and PLL and DLL design




Wireless Sensor Networks


Book Description

This book presents an in-depth study on the recent advances in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). The authors describe the existing WSN applications and discuss the research efforts being undertaken in this field. Theoretical analysis and factors influencing protocol design are also highlighted. The authors explore state-of-the-art protocols for WSN protocol stack in transport, routing, data link, and physical layers. Moreover, the synchronization and localization problems in WSNs are investigated along with existing solutions. Furthermore, cross-layer solutions are described. Finally, developing areas of WSNs including sensor-actor networks, multimedia sensor networks, and WSN applications in underwater and underground environments are explored. The book is written in an accessible, textbook style, and includes problems and solutions to assist learning. Key Features: The ultimate guide to recent advances and research into WSNs Discusses the most important problems and issues that arise when programming and designing WSN systems Shows why the unique features of WSNs – self-organization, cooperation, correlation -- will enable new applications that will provide the end user with intelligence and a better understanding of the environment Provides an overview of the existing evaluation approaches for WSNs including physical testbeds and software simulation environments Includes examples and learning exercises with a solutions manual; supplemented by an accompanying website containing PPT-slides. Wireless Sensor Networks is an essential textbook for advanced students on courses in wireless communications, networking and computer science. It will also be of interest to researchers, system and chip designers, network planners, technical mangers and other professionals in these fields.




Cloud Reliability Engineering


Book Description

Coud reliability engineering is a leading issue of cloud services. Cloud service providers guarantee computation, storage and applications through service-level agreements (SLAs) for promised levels of performance and uptime. Cloud Reliability Engineering: Technologies and Tools presents case studies examining cloud services, their challenges, and the reliability mechanisms used by cloud service providers. These case studies provide readers with techniques to harness cloud reliability and availability requirements in their own endeavors. Both conceptual and applied, the book explains reliability theory and the best practices used by cloud service companies to provide high availability. It also examines load balancing, and cloud security. Written by researchers and practitioners, the book’s chapters are a comprehensive study of cloud reliability and availability issues and solutions. Various reliability class distributions and their effects on cloud reliability are discussed. An important aspect of reliability block diagrams is used to categorize poor reliability of cloud infrastructures, where enhancement can be made to lower the failure rate of the system. This technique can be used in design and functional stages to determine poor reliability of a system and provide target improvements. Load balancing for reliability is examined as a migrating process or performed by using virtual machines. The approach employed to identify the lightly loaded destination node to which the processes/virtual machines migrate can be optimized by employing a genetic algorithm. To analyze security risk and reliability, a novel technique for minimizing the number of keys and the security system is presented. The book also provides an overview of testing methods for the cloud, and a case study discusses testing reliability, installability, and security. A comprehensive volume, Cloud Reliability Engineering: Technologies and Tools combines research, theory, and best practices used to engineer reliable cloud availability and performance.




Motion Estimation for Video Coding


Book Description

The need of video compression in the modern age of visual communication cannot be over-emphasized. This monograph will provide useful information to the postgraduate students and researchers who wish to work in the domain of VLSI design for video processing applications. In this book, one can find an in-depth discussion of several motion estimation algorithms and their VLSI implementation as conceived and developed by the authors. It records an account of research done involving fast three step search, successive elimination, one-bit transformation and its effective combination with diamond search and dynamic pixel truncation techniques. Two appendices provide a number of instances of proof of concept through Matlab and Verilog program segments. In this aspect, the book can be considered as first of its kind. The architectures have been developed with an eye to their applicability in everyday low-power handheld appliances including video camcorders and smartphones.