13548202
Noise constrained power optimization for dual V/sub T/ domino logic
In dual threshold voltage techniques, significant subthreshold leakage current is one of the most important design problems. When dual threshold voltage is applied to the domino logic, noise immunity has to be carefully considered because the significant subthreshold current makes dynamic nodes much more susceptible to noise. In this paper, an analytical model for proper keeper transistor sizing to meet noise constraint is presented. Based on the same noise constraint, we propose dual threshold voltage domino logic technique to save power consumption.
14376041
Feasible region approximation using convex polytopes
A new technique for polytope approximation of the feasible region for a design is presented. This method is computationally less expensive than the simplicial approximation method. Results on several circuits are presented. It is shown that the quality of the polytope approximation is substantially better than an ellipsoidal approximation.<<ETX>>
5129503
Detailed layer assignment for MCM routing
A new routing environment model, called the k-MCM model, is developed to take into account the unique features of a multilayer MCM, such as the availability of “segmented vias” , and the presence of two “active” or terminal-bearing layers. A detailed layer assignment problem is formulated on the k-MCM model. A fast heuristic algorithm for the layer assignment problem is proposed. and experimental results on twelve test examples with net counts up to 842 are presented.
13489029
An integrated approach to realistic worst-case design optimization of MOS analog circuits
The authors present a new integrated approach for the optimization of MOS analog circuit performance by using realistic worst-case device parameter files, each corresponding to a performance measure. Nonlinear response surfaces are constructed for the performance measures of interest, and the worst-case device parameter files are identified by solving a set of suitably cast nonlinear programming problems. The worst-case files are shown to depend on the values of the designable parameters. An efficient method of incorporating this dependence during worst-case design optimization has been developed. This method enables the design of circuits with optimal performance and high parametric yields. Some illustrative analog circuit examples are given to demonstrate the application of the worst-case design optimization procedure.<<ETX>>
44275614
Cell-level placement for improving substrate thermal distribution
The dramatic increase of power consumption in very large scale integration circuits has led to high operating temperature and large thermal gradient, thereby resulting in serious timing and reliability concerns. Temperature-tracking is thus becoming of paramount importance in modern electronic design automation (EDA) tools. In this paper we present two thermal placement tools for standard cell and macro cell design styles respectively. They are aimed at reducing hot spots in a design without compromising traditional design metrics such as area and wire length. We developed a compact substrate thermal model that can be used by the placer to calculate the temperature profile of a placement efficiently, or to convert the user-specified temperature constraint into the corresponding power distribution constraint as an alternative placement objective. As a result, our method is much more efficient than directly employing temperature profile simulation during the placement process. The simulation results show noticeable improvement of thermal distribution over the traditional placement algorithm, with little impact on area and wire length of the final layout.
1671645
Domino logic synthesis minimizing crosstalk
Based on the new concept of crosstalk immunity set (CIS), procedures to minimize capacitive cross-coupling effects are developed for domino logic circuit. The nets in a crosstalk immunity set are free from crosstalk effects for any combination of input vectors. New algorithms for CIS identification and minimization are proposed to maximize the chance of crosstalk minimization in routing step. Our routing algorithm augmented with CIS information searches for optimal solution to minimize maximum crosstalk the circuit would experience. Experimental results show that the reduction of maximum crosstalk is up to 30% with CIS-augmented routing.
35348578
The Complex EGI: A New Representation for 3-D Pose Determination
The complex extended Gaussian image (CEGI), a 3D object representation that can be used to determine the pose of an object, is described. In this representation, the weight associated with each outward surface normal is a complex weight. The normal distance of the surface from the predefined origin is encoded as the phase of the weight, whereas the magnitude of the weight is the visible area of the surface. This approach decouples the orientation and translation determination into two distinct least-squares problems. The justification for using such a scheme is twofold: it not only allows the pose of the object to be extracted, but it also distinguishes a convex object from a nonconvex object having the same EGI representation. The CEGI scheme has the advantage of not requiring explicit spatial object-model surface correspondence in determining object orientation and translation. Experiments involving synthetic data of two polyhedral and two smooth objects are presented to illustrate the feasibility of this method. >
2096181
Video editing using figure tracking and image-based rendering
We describe a new approach to video editing based on the semi-automatic segmentation of video into multiple layers and the composition of layers using image-based rendering. Using figure tracking and background motion estimation, we can segment a moving figure and reconstruct the background. Using geometrically-correct pixel reprojection, layers can be composited on the basis of the geometry of the underlying scene and the position of a virtual camera. We have implemented a prototype editing system called SpliceWorld.
1332259
On the Motion and Appearance of Specularities in Image Sequences
Real scenes are full of specularities (highlights and reflections), and yet most vision algorithms ignore them. In order to capture the appearance of realistic scenes, we need to model specularities as separate layers. In this paper, we study the behavior of specularities in static scenes as the camera moves, and describe their dependence on varying surface geometry, orientation, and scene point and camera locations. For a rectilinear camera motion with constant velocity, we study how the specular motion deviates from a straight trajectory (disparity deviation) and how much it violates the epipolar constraint (epipolar deviation). Surprisingly, for surfaces that are convex or not highly undulating, these deviations are usually quite small. We also study the appearance of specularities, i.e., how they interact with the body reflection, and with the usual occlusion ordering constraints applicable to diffuse opaque layers. We present a taxonomy of specularities based on their photometric properties as a guide for designing separation techniques. Finally, we propose a technique to extract specularities as a separate layer, and demonstrate it using an image sequence of a complex scene.
7236201
Catadioptric self-calibration
We have assembled a standalone, movable system that can capture long sequences of omnidirectional images (up to 1,500 images at 6.7 Hz and a resolution of 1140/spl times/090). The goal of this system is to reconstruct complex large environments, such as an entire floor of a building, from the captured images only. In this paper, we address the important issue of how to calibrate such a system. Our method uses images of the environment to calibrate the camera, without the use of any special calibration pattern, knowledge of camera motion, or knowledge of scene geometry. It uses the consistency of pairwise tracked point features across a sequence based on the characteristics of catadioptric imaging. We also show how the projection equation for this catadioptric camera can be formulated to be equivalent to that of a typical rectilinear perspective camera with just a simple transformation.
16190492
Noise Estimation from a Single Image
In order to work well, many computer vision algorithms require that their parameters be adjusted according to the image noise level, making it an important quantity to estimate. We show how to estimate an upper bound on the noise level from a single image based on a piecewise smooth image prior model and measured CCD camera response functions. We also learn the space of noise level functions how noise level changes with respect to brightness and use Bayesian MAP inference to infer the noise level function from a single image. We illustrate the utility of this noise estimation for two algorithms: edge detection and featurepreserving smoothing through bilateral filtering. For a variety of different noise levels, we obtain good results for both these algorithms with no user-specified inputs.