Embedded Co-Processor Architecture for CMOS Based Image Acquisition

This paper describes a new co-processor architecture designed for CMOS sensor imaging. The co-processor unit is integrated into the image acquisition loop so as to exploit the full potential of CMOS selective access imaging technology. The processing features of the coprocessor are functional to the specific acquisition process of CMOS sensors (random region acquisition, variable image size, variable acquisition modes line/region based, multi-exposition images). Moreover, although built with pipelined or parallel HW processing modules, the co-processor architecture has been designed so as to obtain a unit that can be configured on the fly, in terms of type and number of chained processing, during the image acquisition process that is defined by the application. Simulated performances based on a FPGA implementation, are reported and compared to classical image acquisition systems based on PC platforms

Humanity at first sight: Exploring the relationship between others' pupil size and ascriptions of humanity

Social targets' eyes are a rich source of information: partners with dilated and constricted pupils are perceived positively and negatively, respectively. Here, we tested whether observed pupil size influences the ascription of humanity. In Study 1 (n = 198) participants were asked to attribute positive uniquely human and non-uniquely human traits to ingroup (i.e., university students), derogated (i.e., homeless people) and non-derogated (i.e., Dutch) targets whose pupils varied in size. Results showed higher attribution of uniquely human traits to targets with dilated (vs. constricted) pupils, whereas no difference based on pupil size emerged on the attribution of non-uniquely human traits. The effect was stronger for non-derogated (vs. derogated and ingroup) targets. In Study 2 (n = 117) participants were asked to attribute positive uniquely human and non-uniquely human traits and emotions. Results replicated the effect of pupil size on trait attribution, especially for outgroup (vs. ingroup) members. The effect of pupil size was not qualified by emotions type (uniquely human vs. non uniquely human). Taken together, our findings show that pupil size is interpreted as a cue to attribute humanity to social targets

A 0.4 nJ Excitation Energy Bridge-to-Digital Converter for Implantable Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring

This paper presents an energy-efficient, duty-cycled, and spinning excitation bridge-to-digital converter (BDC) suitable for measuring the pulmonary artery pressure of heart failure patients with an implantable system. The duty-cycled bridge uses resistances of 6.2 kΩ and, with a supply of 1.2 V, consumes 0.4 nJ excitation energy. A novel spinning method is applied to the bridge and the capacitive DAC simultaneously in such a way to achieve an offset-independent digital output and to eliminate the need for complex instrumentation amplifiers with offset-reduction techniques or calibration. The SAR ADC fabricated in 0.18-μm CMOS consumes 19 nW at 1.2 V. With a sampling rate of 1 kS/s, the converter achieves the ENOB of 9.2 bits

Lossy compression of TPC data and trajectory tracking efficiency for the ALICE experiment

In this paper a quasi-lossless algorithm for the on-line compression of the data generated by the Time Projection Chamber (TPC) detector of the ALICE experiment at CERN is described. The algorithm is based on a lossy source code modeling technique, i.e. it is based on a source model which is lossy if samples of the TPC signal are considered one by one; conversely, the source model is lossless or quasi-lossless if some physical quantities that are of main interest for the experiment are considered. These quantities are the area and the location of the center of mass of each TPC signal pulse, representing the pulse charge and the time localization of the pulse. So as to evaluate the consequences of the error introduced by the lossy compression process, the results of the trajectory tracking algorithms that process data off-line after the experiment are analyzed, in particular, versus their sensibility to the noise introduced by the compression. Two different versions of these off- line algorithms are described, performing cluster finding and particle tracking. The results on how these algorithms are affected by the lossy compression are reported. Entropy coding can be applied to the set of events defined by the source model to reduce the bit rate to the corresponding source entropy. Using TPC simulated data according to the expected ALICE TPC performance, the compression algorithm achieves a data reduction in the range of 34.2% down to 23.7% of the original data rate depending on the desired precision on the pulse center of mass. The number of operations per input symbol required to implement the algorithm is relatively low, so that a real-time implementation of the compression process embedded in the TPC data acquisition chain using low-cost integrated electronics is a realistic option to effectively reduce the data storing cost of ALICE experiment

Load characterization and revenue metering under non-sinusoidal and asymmetrical operation

This paper proposes an approach to load characterization and revenue metering, which accounts for the influence of supply deterioration and line impedance. It makes use of the Conservative Power Theory and aims at characterizing the load from the measurements done at the point of common coupling. Despite the inherent limitations of a single-point measurement, the proposed methodology enables evaluation of power terms, which clarify the effects of reactivity, asymmetry and distortion, and attempts to depurate the power consumption accounted to the load from those terms deriving from supply nonidealities