Bertrand Granado

Prototype of Video Endoscopic Capsule With 3-D Imaging Capabilities

Wireless video capsules can now carry out gastroenterological examinations. The images make it possible to analyze some diseases during postexamination, but the gastroenterologist could make a direct diagnosis if the video capsule integrated vision algorithms. The first step toward in situ diagnosis is the implementation of 3-D imaging techniques in the video capsule. By transmitting only the diagnosis instead of the images, the video capsule autonomy is increased. This paper focuses on the Cyclope project, an embedded active vision system that is able to provide 3-D and texture data in real time. The challenge is to realize this integrated sensor with constraints on size, consumption, and processing, which are inherent limitations of the video capsule. We present the hardware and software development of a wireless multispectral vision sensor which enables the transmission of the 3-D reconstruction of a scene in real time. An FPGA-based prototype has been designed to show the proof of concept. Experiments in the laboratory, in vitro, and in vivo on a pig have been performed to determine the performance of the 3-D vision system. A roadmap towardthe integrated system is set out.

OveRSoC: a framework for the exploration of RTOS for RSoC platforms

This paper presents the OveRSoC project. The objective is to develop an exploration and validation methodology of embedded Real Time Operating Systems (RTOSs) for Reconfigurable System-on-Chip-based platforms.Here, we describe the overall methodology and the corresponding design environment. The method is based on abstract and modular SystemC models that allow to explore, simulate, and validate the distribution of OS services on this kind of platform. The experimental results show that our components accurately model the dynamic and deterministic behavior of both application and RTOS.

A systemfor an accurate 3D reconstruction in video endoscopy capsule

Since few years, the gastroenterologic examinations could have been realised by wireless video capsules. Although the images make it possible to analyse some diseases, the diagnosis could be improved by the use of the 3D Imaging techniques implemented in the video capsule. The work presented here is related to Cyclope, an embedded active vision system that is able to give in real time both 3D information and texture. The challenge is to realise this integrated sensor with constraints on size, consumption, and computational resources with inherent limitation of video capsule. In this paper, we present the hardware and software development of a wireless multispectral vision sensor which allows to transmit, a 3D reconstruction of a scene in realtime. multispectral acquisitions grab both texture and IR pattern images at least at 25 frames/s separately. The different Intellectual Properties designed allow to compute specifics algorithms in real time while keeping accuracy computation. We present experimental results with the realization of a large-scale demonstrator using an SOPC prototyping board.

Fast triggering in high-energy physics experiments using hardware neural networks

High-energy physics experiments require high-speed triggering systems capable of performing complex pattern recognition at rates of Megahertz to Gigahertz. Neural networks implemented in hardware have been the solution of choice for certain experiments. The neural triggering problem is presented here via a detailed look at the H1 level 2 trigger at the HERA accelerator, Hamburg, Germany, followed by a section on the importance of hardware preprocessing for such systems, and finally some new architectural ideas for using field programmable gate arrays in very high-speed neural-network triggers at upcoming experiments.

Architecture of an intelligent beacon for wireless sensor networks

In this paper, we introduce the architecture of an intelligent beacon for wireless sensor networks. This beacon acquires images of a scene and detects motion, thanks to the real-time execution of a Markov motion detection algorithm. When some motion is detected, neural networks are applied in real-time to the acquired images in order to trigger some alarm. Finally, when some alarm is triggered, video of the scene compressed with the MMJPEG2000 algorithm are sent on a wireless network, a long-range communication by satellite for example. The beacon is implemented on a platform including a microcontroller, a DSP, an FPGA and several dedicated modules.

Towards a multimodal wireless video capsule for detection of colonic polyps as prevention of colorectal cancer

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is commonly used for noninvasive gastrointestinal tract evaluation, including the identification of polyps. In this paper, a new multimodal embeddable method for polyp detection and classification in wireless capsule endoscopic images was developed and tested. The multimodal wireless capsule used both 2D and 3D data to identify possible polyps and to deliver cancerous information of the polyps based on 3D geometric features. Possible polyps within the image (2D) were extracted using simple geometric shape features and, in a second step, the candidate regions of interest (ROI) were evaluated with a boosting-based method using textural features. Once the 2D identification of polyps has been performed, the two-class (“malignant” or “begnin”) classification of the polyps is achieved using the 3D parameters computed from the preselected ROI using an active stereo vision system. At this stage, a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is used to proceed to the final classification and to make possible a pre diagnosis. The new proposed multimodal approach based on 2D-3D feature extraction improves WCE capabilities to identify and classify polyps: The boosting-based polyp classification demonstrated a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 95% and a false detection rate of 4.8% on a database composed of 300 hundred positive examples and 1200 negative ones; Considering the 3D performance, a large scale demonstrator was evaluated and tested to perform in vitro experiments on an ad hoc polyp database. The performance of the 3D approach achieved a correct classification rate (malignant or benin) of approximately 95%.

OLLAF: a fine grained dynamically reconfigurable architecture for OS support

Fine Grained Dynamically Reconfigurable Architecture (FGDRA) offers a flexibility for embedded systems with a great power processing efficiency by exploiting optimizations opportunities at architectural level thanks to their fine configuration granularity. But this increase design complexity that should be abstracted by tools and operating system. In order to have a usable solution, a good inter-overlapping between tools, OS, and platform must exist. In this paper we present OLLAF, an FGDRA specially designed to efficiently support an OS. The studies presented here show the contribution of this architecture in terms of hardware context management and preemption support. Studies presented here show the gain that can be obtained, by using OLLAF instead of a classical FPGA, in terms of context management and preemption overhead.

Smart Videocapsule for Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer: Toward Embedded Image Analysis

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) enables screening of the gastrointestinal tract by a swallowable imaging system. However, contemporary WCE systems have several limitations—battery, low processing capabilities, among others—which often result in low diagnostic yield. In this chapter, after a technical presentation of the components of a standard WCE, the authors discuss the related limitations and introduce a new concept of smart capsule with embedded image processing capabilities based on a boosting approach using textural features. We discuss the feasibility of the hardware integration of the detection–recognition method, also with respect to the most recent FPGA technologies.

An OFDMA based RF interconnect for massive multi-core processors

A paradigm shift is apparent in Chip Multiprocessor (CMP) design, as the new performance bottleneck is becoming communication rather than computation. It is widely provisioned that number of cores on a single chip will reach thousands in a decade. Thus, new high rate interconnects such as optical or RF have been proposed by various researchers. However, these interconnect structures fail to provide essential requirements of heterogeneous on-chip traffic; bandwidth reconfigurability and broadcast support with a low complex design. In this paper we investigate the feasibility of a new Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) RF interconnect for the first time to the best of our knowledge. In addition we provide a novel dynamic bandwidth arbitration and modulation order selection policy, that is designed regarding the bimodal on-chip packets. The proposed approach decreases the average latency up to 3.5 times compared to conventional static approach.

SVM based colon polyps classifier in a wireless active stereo endoscope

This work focuses on the recognition of three-dimensional colon polyps captured by an active stereo vision sensor. The detection algorithm consists of SVM classifier trained on robust feature descriptors. The study is related to Cyclope, this prototype sensor allows real time 3D object reconstruction and continues to be optimized technically to improve its classification task by differentiation between hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. Experimental results were encouraging and show correct classification rate of approximately 97%. The work contains detailed statistics about the detection rate and the computing complexity. Inspired by intensity histogram, the work shows a new approach that extracts a set of features based on depth histogram and combines stereo measurement with SVM classifiers to correctly classify benign and malignant polyps.