Multi-core Video Analytics Engine (MVE™)

The use of real time video event detection or video analytics (VA) in surveillance and related fields is increasing steadily. The typical VA solution implements event detection using software algorithms that run on CPUs or special accelerator boards within digital video servers or embedded in intelligent cameras or other edge devices (e.g. video encoders). As the demand for more complex solutions increases, both in terms of image resolution and the speed, number and complexity of events to be detected, so does the demand for higher performance VA algorithms. Traditional software-only approaches can accommodate these demands as long as they have sufficient processing power to run the algorithms. Serious limits arise as the computational task scales up faster than what general-purpose CPUs or Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) can provide even when VA algorithms run on dedicated processors. Current approaches do not scale! This results in limited capabilities, increased cost of cameras, and excessive development effort and cost.

Eutecus addresses this critical issue and limiting factor with the Multi-core Video Analytics Engine (MVE™), an easily configurable, flexible, compact, high-performance processing architecture enabling a new scalable level of complete video analytics solutions within a single low-cost FPGA chip, thus allowing new capability embedded in intelligent surveillance installations. MVE™ combines an inherently parallel multi-core processing architecture with unique embedded complex video analytics algorithms in an easily configurable building block, reducing effort for camera design and application programming, resulting in reduced development cost and time to market. Embedded solutions also benefit from low-cost and low-power implementation when embedding the entire MVE™ into a single FPGA.

MVE™ provides video analytic capability with “all the rules, all the time” analytic processing at full HD 1080p resolution and at full 30 fps, enabling greater accuracy in results (latest 1080p product is available on Altera Cyclone® IV FPGA platforms).

MVE™ incorporates Eutecus’ Cellular Multi-core Video Analytics (C-MVA™) processor – composed of specialized image processing IP cores – which was developed based on extensive research into cellular architectures that mimic the processing found in human vision. Eutecus works closely with security camera OEMs to incorporate MVE™ into their product lines, either as a single-chip solution or as a Video Analytics module in high-end cameras where a separate DSP can take care of tasks such as encoding and compression.

In order to jump start the design of MVE™-enabled cameras, Eutecus provides a fully functional reference designs, the Bi-i™ V401A and Bi-i™ V401X Video Analytics modules, with easy-to-use PC software to set up and configure MVE™ to perform video event detection. All this is available in the Eutecus MVE™ Evaluation Kits.