04-09-2012, 12:21 PM
Microcontroller Applications in Video Surveillance
[attachment=33299]
Introduction
A key aspect of any video surveillance device is the minimization of its size. In the area of digital surveillance, embedded microcontrollers play a key role by providing robust commands and features to the devices to which they are attached while achieving high levels of concealment. This method of digital surveillance also has capture and storage advantages over older analog systems by allowing the data to be transcoded into a plethora of compression formats (MPEG2, MPEG4, etc.) and stored on any matter of digital storage media (hard disk, USB Mass Storage, Flash Memory, etc.). This paper will focus on the use of microcontrollers, specifically in current digital surveillance systems, and show their roles in the aforementioned concealment, capture and storage advantages.
Underlying Technology behind Microcontroller Applications in Video Surveillance
Types of Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers come in several different flavors. Microchip Technology’s PIC’s (Programmable Intelligent Computers) [1] are the most popular with several variations such as OOPIC’s (Object-Oriented PIC’s) and PICAXE’s, which are aimed more at students and enthusiasts with their low cost and ease of implementation. Another versatile type of microcontroller is a STAMP, aptly named due to its size being roughly that of a postage stamp [2]. These microcontrollers have a programming interpreter built into their available ROM, which allows the user to program them using code from the language upon which the interpreter is based. The most popular of these is a C-STAMP, due to its robustness, ease of use, and low cost; it uses the C programming language. BASIC STAMP’s are also quite popular, although more simple and somewhat slower than other available microcontrollers [2].
While most STAMP’s and PIC’s available on the market provide general control functions for most applications, other microcontrollers have been specially equipped to handle a specific task. DSP (Digital Signal Processing) microcontrollers have been developed to handle radio [3] and video signals, depending on their function. Ranging from 24-bit controllers up to quad-core microprocessors [4], these microcontrollers can be used in conjunction with video compression and encoding devices in order to capture and store more data, which make them of particular interest in association with digital surveillance.
Commercial Applications of DSP Microcontrollers
According to Texas Instruments (TI), one of the largest producers of DSP microcontrollers, DSP’s can be used in a variety of video applications from video telephones to automotive infotainment to digital video servers and recorders and video security [5]. Companies such as EENTEC Surveillance, who specialize in seismic strong motion detection instruments, offer video surveillance in conjunction with vibration sensors on their DVSS-6, both of which are controlled via DSP microcontroller [6]. Another company, Avnet Electronics, offers a digital surveillance kit, among many other DSP evaluation kits, based on the Analog Devices Incorporated (ADI) Blackfin embedded DSP microcontroller [7]. Freescale also offers DSP controllers with a wide range of features and applications, from controlling lighting to processing live video feeds [4]. From these offerings, we can see many options available for the implementation of DSP microcontrollers in a digital video surveillance system.
[attachment=33299]
Introduction
A key aspect of any video surveillance device is the minimization of its size. In the area of digital surveillance, embedded microcontrollers play a key role by providing robust commands and features to the devices to which they are attached while achieving high levels of concealment. This method of digital surveillance also has capture and storage advantages over older analog systems by allowing the data to be transcoded into a plethora of compression formats (MPEG2, MPEG4, etc.) and stored on any matter of digital storage media (hard disk, USB Mass Storage, Flash Memory, etc.). This paper will focus on the use of microcontrollers, specifically in current digital surveillance systems, and show their roles in the aforementioned concealment, capture and storage advantages.
Underlying Technology behind Microcontroller Applications in Video Surveillance
Types of Microcontrollers
Microcontrollers come in several different flavors. Microchip Technology’s PIC’s (Programmable Intelligent Computers) [1] are the most popular with several variations such as OOPIC’s (Object-Oriented PIC’s) and PICAXE’s, which are aimed more at students and enthusiasts with their low cost and ease of implementation. Another versatile type of microcontroller is a STAMP, aptly named due to its size being roughly that of a postage stamp [2]. These microcontrollers have a programming interpreter built into their available ROM, which allows the user to program them using code from the language upon which the interpreter is based. The most popular of these is a C-STAMP, due to its robustness, ease of use, and low cost; it uses the C programming language. BASIC STAMP’s are also quite popular, although more simple and somewhat slower than other available microcontrollers [2].
While most STAMP’s and PIC’s available on the market provide general control functions for most applications, other microcontrollers have been specially equipped to handle a specific task. DSP (Digital Signal Processing) microcontrollers have been developed to handle radio [3] and video signals, depending on their function. Ranging from 24-bit controllers up to quad-core microprocessors [4], these microcontrollers can be used in conjunction with video compression and encoding devices in order to capture and store more data, which make them of particular interest in association with digital surveillance.
Commercial Applications of DSP Microcontrollers
According to Texas Instruments (TI), one of the largest producers of DSP microcontrollers, DSP’s can be used in a variety of video applications from video telephones to automotive infotainment to digital video servers and recorders and video security [5]. Companies such as EENTEC Surveillance, who specialize in seismic strong motion detection instruments, offer video surveillance in conjunction with vibration sensors on their DVSS-6, both of which are controlled via DSP microcontroller [6]. Another company, Avnet Electronics, offers a digital surveillance kit, among many other DSP evaluation kits, based on the Analog Devices Incorporated (ADI) Blackfin embedded DSP microcontroller [7]. Freescale also offers DSP controllers with a wide range of features and applications, from controlling lighting to processing live video feeds [4]. From these offerings, we can see many options available for the implementation of DSP microcontrollers in a digital video surveillance system.