Implementation of JPEG compression and motion estimation on FPGA hardware

A hardware implementation of JPEG allows for real-time compression in data intensivve applications, such as high speed scanning, medical imaging and satellite image transmission. Implementation options include dedicated DSP or media processors, FPGA boards, and ASICs. Factors that affect the choice of platform selection involve cost, speed, memory, size, power consumption, and case of reconfiguration. The proposed hardware solution is based on a Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL) implememtation of the codec with prefered realization using an FPGA board due to speed, cost and flexibility factors; The VHDL language is commonly used to model hardware impletations from a top down perspective. The VHDL code may be simulated to correct mistakes and subsequently synthesized into hardware using a synthesis tool, such as the xilinx ise suite. The same VHDL code may be synthesized into a number of sifferent hardware architetcures based on constraints given. For example speed was the major constraint when synthesizing the pipeline of jpeg encoding and decoding, while chip area and power consumption were primary constraints when synthesizing the on-die memory because of large area. Thus, there is a trade off between area and speed in logic synthesis

Bulk oxygen in alpha-silicon nitride and its effect on IR absorption

Results of an IR absorption characterization of alpha silicon nitride specimens prepared in the laboratory by several different procedures are presented. The results suggest the presence of bulk oxygen in the silicon nitride lattice. It is concluded that, although it is not necessary that alpha silicon nitride have bulk oxygen to stabilize its structure, it can accommodate a considerable amount of bulk oxygen without becoming oxynitride structurally

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANCIES - A STUDY OF 150 CASES

OBJECTIVE: In the present study we investigate the head and Neck Malignancy cases presenting to the ENT department of our Hospital, and analyze the same to give inputs as to the incidence of head and neck malignancies, the symptoms and stage of presentation, lifestyle and habits as contributory risk factors, identify ENT primary in neck secondaries, histopathological types and selection of best treatment.METHODS: Prospective analysis of 150 patients with newly diagnosed malignancies of nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx, hypopharynx and ear.RESULTS: Most malignancies are common in patients greater than 40 years of age. 88% of cancer occur in males. Oropharynx cancer is the most common cancer in our study, with the commonest subsite as base of tongue. Supraglottic and pyriform fossa tumours are the commonest tumour in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers  respectively. The most common presentation is dysphagia. Synergistic effect of smoking and alcohol is seen in 50% of patients. Most of the cases were seen in stage III and IV except glottis cancer which is predominantly seen in stage I, almost all cases were squamous cell carcinoma.CONCLUSION:The results of our study were in conformity with other similar studies. In larynx, Supraglottic was more common as opposed to glottis in certain western studies. Analysis of various factors helps in early diagnosis and management.KEYWORDS:Cancer, Head and Neck Malignancy, Larynx, pharynx, Nasopharynx, Neck secondaries.