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Multi-core Video Analytics Engine (MVE™)

 

Embedded video event detection solution in FPGA for higher performance at reduced time-to-market and lower cost

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. The initial commercial implementation of MVE™ is on the Xilinx Spartan-3A DSP 3400A™ FPGA chip.

MVE™ provides video analytic capability with “all the rules, all the time” analytic processing at full HD 720p resolution and at full 30 fps, enabling greater accuracy in results.

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 design, the Bi-i™ V401X Video Analytics module, 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 Kit V3.0, which also contains MVE™ firmware for the XtremeDSP™ Video Starter Kit from Xilinx. Developers using MVE™ can also benefit from the Targeted Design Platform tools and environment from Xilinx.

MVE™ System-on-Chip


MVE™ Features:
  • Stand-alone, flexible, scalable, configurable Video Analytics engine based on high-performance

  • C-MVA™ processor architecture

  • Fully configurable VA functions such as people counting, detection of abandoned/stolen objects, entering forbidden zone, loitering, movement in wrong direction

  • HD image resolution at 30 frames per second

  • Reduced time-to-market due to easy system integration

  • Enables system-on-chip (SoC) VA solution in Xilinx FPGAs

  • Significantly reduced system cost and power consumption with superior performance Arbitrary number of events detected in parallel for greater flexibility

  • Pixel processing implemented by parallel IP cores

  • Object detection and decision making implemented using powerful parallel processing algorithms

  • MVE™ is inherently scalable for various bandwidths, addressing a wide range of needs for now and the future

Integrating MVE™ in OEM Security Cameras


MVE™ can be easily integrated into OEM security camera design. OEM development only needs to be concerned with overall camera design and component integration.
MVE™ Integration Support:
  • MVE™ integration via standard FPGA tool chain
  • Software based configuration and programmability (enough to handle MVE™ at software level)
  • Reference designs with tools and libraries available to speed up development
  • Customization and support available for integrating MVE™ into new camera platform
Read more about MVE™ in Issue 66 (Fourth Quarter 2008, pp28-32) of Xcell journal.

OEM camera and FPGA design fit into existing tool chains with minimal software development effort. High-end cameras may run additional video processing algorithms on DSP.

Bi-i™ V401X Video Analytics Module

The Bi-i™ V401X Video Analytics Module implements Eutecus’ Multi-core Video Analytics Engine (MVE™) on a small form factor PCB reference design for rapid implementation in IP camera designs and other edge devices or as a stand-alone video analytics device.
Bi-i™ V401X VA Module Features:
  • Video Analytics (VA) on a single FPGA chip
  • Stand-alone or integrated with other PCBs
  • Low cost
  • MVE™ Evaluation Kit 3.0 with full software support
  • Rapid application development supported by tools and libraries
The Bi-i™ V401X VA Module is available from Eutecus, bundled with a fully-functional, easy-to-use evaluation kit for testing and developing video analytics applications using MVE™.

More information

Download the MVE Product Brochure in PDF
Go to MVE SoC

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