- Installing OpenCV
- Installing OpenCV on Mac OSX, Xcode, Frameworks and a sample program
- Another sample of OpenCV on Xcode
- Cheat sheet or commonly used functions
- Another good cheat sheet with graphics
- OpenCV tutorial at Drexel U
- Leeds Guide to OpenCV
- Nashrudin's OpenCV tutorial
- Turkish list of OpenCV links
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Essential OpenCV URL List
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
SystemC on Mac
SystemC works on Mac!
Thanks to the folks at Logic Poet, SystemC on Mac is much easier than on Windows and Linux. Get then installer here and install it. You know how to install an app in Mac, don't you? don't you?
The important files are installed in /Library/SystemC/Current.
For your compulsory Hello World in SystemC, first create a New Project by keying Shift-Apple-N. When you get this dialog, choose SystemC app:
You can also see there's other types of SystemC projects available including TLM and AMS. Anyway, you'll get a dummy program FOC. Let's name the project "sc_hello". You will then get this:
Build it by hitting Apple-B. Run it by clicking on Product->sc_hello on the control pane on the left:
Congratulations! Now you can forget about SystemC on Linux, or gasp, on Visual Studio!...
Thanks to the folks at Logic Poet, SystemC on Mac is much easier than on Windows and Linux. Get then installer here and install it. You know how to install an app in Mac, don't you? don't you?
The important files are installed in /Library/SystemC/Current.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
SystemC Tutorials
- SystemC Tutorial for VHDL Engineers
- SystemC Tutorial at ASIC World - Incomplete
- SystemC from Scratch
- SystemC: An Introduction for Beginners
- SystemC Tutorials at SCLive site. SCLive is a live Linux distro just for SystemC.
- Installing SystemC in Ubuntu
- SystemC Resource Page
Friday, January 28, 2011
What's an SoC
Taken from this blog : Wolfe's Den: Intel Inches Into Its Next Big Market
SoC is a fancy term in the semiconductor world, used to refer to silicon that's customizable in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, a bunch of off-the-shelf blocks of intellectual property (IP) are available and can be plopped onto a silicon die, according to an individual customer's demands. IP blocks refer to functional sections like a CPU, input/output handler, digital signal processor, network interface, etc.
It appears to me that Intel has slightly misappropriated the SoC term in applying it to what they're calling the "Intel SoC processor for cars, Internet phones and smart grid devices" [pdf press release].
These SoC Atoms are really regular, off-the-shelf CPUs. If they were true SoCs, they'd be different for each customer. However, they'd also be prohibitively expensive for most buyers. What Intel has done is to select the most popular functional blocks to create a "custom" part usable by nearly everyone. This is analogous to what Detroit used to do when they stuck a "custom" badge on a mass-produced variant of a popular sedan. The biggie in the Atom is an interconnect intended for easy pairing with a variety of input/output devices, the better to be useful in embedded apps.
SoC is a fancy term in the semiconductor world, used to refer to silicon that's customizable in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, a bunch of off-the-shelf blocks of intellectual property (IP) are available and can be plopped onto a silicon die, according to an individual customer's demands. IP blocks refer to functional sections like a CPU, input/output handler, digital signal processor, network interface, etc.
It appears to me that Intel has slightly misappropriated the SoC term in applying it to what they're calling the "Intel SoC processor for cars, Internet phones and smart grid devices" [pdf press release].
These SoC Atoms are really regular, off-the-shelf CPUs. If they were true SoCs, they'd be different for each customer. However, they'd also be prohibitively expensive for most buyers. What Intel has done is to select the most popular functional blocks to create a "custom" part usable by nearly everyone. This is analogous to what Detroit used to do when they stuck a "custom" badge on a mass-produced variant of a popular sedan. The biggie in the Atom is an interconnect intended for easy pairing with a variety of input/output devices, the better to be useful in embedded apps.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Minimal RAR in Ubuntu
RAR is a common file format used for files distributed through the Net. Here's how to install it in Ubuntu.
Creating an archive:
Add as many files & directories as you want.
Creating an archive with password:
There is no space between -p and the password itself.
To extract, click on the right-mouse-button and use Archive Manager to extract.
Of course, for more advanced uses, refer to the RAR in Ubuntu Manual.
$ sudo apt-get install rar
Creating an archive:
$ rar a archivename.rar files...
Add as many files & directories as you want.
Creating an archive with password:
$ rar a -ppassword archivename.rar files...
There is no space between -p and the password itself.
To extract, click on the right-mouse-button and use Archive Manager to extract.
Of course, for more advanced uses, refer to the RAR in Ubuntu Manual.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
50 secrets of successful people
There are only 5% successful people in the world. This means that only one person in Twenty really achieves success in life. This is a result of a recent research. Highly successful people are not born that way. They develop certain characteristics and traits which help them to achieve growth and success in life. The growth is slow and steady but these people are not afraid of failure or defeat. They just want to pursue their dreams and attain a position and status in the society. It is not difficult to follow these principles. By following these you will not only be a successful person but also a good human being.
The secret of highly successful people are stated below
Successful people:
1. Look for and find opportunities in places where others can not see.
2. Discover what their real goals and dreams are.
3. Are optimistic or positive thinkers.
4. Have high integrity and speak only the truth.
5. Make detailed action plans for achieving their goals.
6. Never stop in the pursuit of knowledge.
7. Practice patience and persistence in their lives.
8. Stay focused on their priorities.
9. Are creative and imaginative.
10. Have clear communication skills.
11. Seek solutions and do not mourn over problems.
12. Create success for themselves.
13. Do not complain and moan.
14. Do not blame others; rather take responsibility for their actions.
15. Are ambitious and efficient.
16. Are clear about what they want in life.
17. Keep themselves busy.
18. Are life-long learners.
19. Do not believe in chance or luck.
20. Attempt to do the impossible.
21. Are adaptable and ready to accept change.
22. Are physically fit.
23. Are not lazy and lethargic.
24. Set high standards for themselves.
25. Believe in the saying- work while you work, play while you play.
26. Complete what they begin.
27. Practice what they preach
28. Are kind and generous to others.
29. Live life to the fullest.
30. Love to face challenges.
31. Have value for time.
32. Respect their seniors and elders.
33. Care for others.
34. Are reliable and trustworthy.
35. Are humble and submissive in nature.
36. Live within a budget.
37. Get out of bed early.
38. Meditate.
39. Pray regularly.
40. Make reading a habit.
41. Do not procrastinate.
42. Realize the importance of a mentor or coach.
43. Develop an effective network.
44. Can balance both home and work.
45. Know when to take smart risks.
46. Understand the politics of the organization.
47. Give out positive energy to those around them.
48. Laugh it out.
49. Are well organized.
50. Love and value themselves.
The secret of highly successful people are stated below
Successful people:
1. Look for and find opportunities in places where others can not see.
2. Discover what their real goals and dreams are.
3. Are optimistic or positive thinkers.
4. Have high integrity and speak only the truth.
5. Make detailed action plans for achieving their goals.
6. Never stop in the pursuit of knowledge.
7. Practice patience and persistence in their lives.
8. Stay focused on their priorities.
9. Are creative and imaginative.
10. Have clear communication skills.
11. Seek solutions and do not mourn over problems.
12. Create success for themselves.
13. Do not complain and moan.
14. Do not blame others; rather take responsibility for their actions.
15. Are ambitious and efficient.
16. Are clear about what they want in life.
17. Keep themselves busy.
18. Are life-long learners.
19. Do not believe in chance or luck.
20. Attempt to do the impossible.
21. Are adaptable and ready to accept change.
22. Are physically fit.
23. Are not lazy and lethargic.
24. Set high standards for themselves.
25. Believe in the saying- work while you work, play while you play.
26. Complete what they begin.
27. Practice what they preach
28. Are kind and generous to others.
29. Live life to the fullest.
30. Love to face challenges.
31. Have value for time.
32. Respect their seniors and elders.
33. Care for others.
34. Are reliable and trustworthy.
35. Are humble and submissive in nature.
36. Live within a budget.
37. Get out of bed early.
38. Meditate.
39. Pray regularly.
40. Make reading a habit.
41. Do not procrastinate.
42. Realize the importance of a mentor or coach.
43. Develop an effective network.
44. Can balance both home and work.
45. Know when to take smart risks.
46. Understand the politics of the organization.
47. Give out positive energy to those around them.
48. Laugh it out.
49. Are well organized.
50. Love and value themselves.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Why RON95 is bad
Work in progress...lots of duplicate stuff...I may clean this up as I read more and have time to back to this article.
This article is a rebuttal of Paul Tan's "Research Octane Number: What is RON95?", which contains several misleading information.
RON is actually short form for Research Octane Number. It is a rating for unleaded petrol. Higher Research Octane Number mean the petrol have higher resistance toward pre-ignition or detonation. In very basic terms, it's a measure of how hard the fuel is to ignite.
If you run your vehicle on low octane petrol you might notice a 'knocking', 'rattling', or 'pinging' sound (as it’s often called), which means the fuel is detonating instead of burning smoothly. This is not only a waste of energy, but it can also damage your engine in the long run. Burning is the desired effect of any internal combustion engine (not an explosion per se).
Fuel with a higher octane number suitable for your vehicle's engine will eliminate knocking. Older cars that were designed to run on a lower RON fuel can also benefit from a higher RON, because the older the car and the higher the kilometres, means the engine will have a greater propensity to knock. This is mainly caused by a build-up of contaminants and carbon deposits which, when hot, can cause pre-ignition.
Lower RON numbers means the fuel is more likely to ignite spontaneously, in minor accidents.
In a gasoline engine, ignition is controlled by adjusting the timing and/or intensity of the spark. Providing a spark at exactly the right moment gives you maximum power and efficiency and minimizes pollution. But any compressed air-fuel mixture will spontaneously ignite, or "detonate." This is also known as "knocking," and can destroy your engine in addition to damaging your bank account and the environment. We want gasoline to burn when the spark plug fires, but not when the piston compresses it.
What does this mean to you? If you drive a high-performance sports car that uses high compression and high RPMs, you probably have a minimum safe octane rating for your engine. Using fuel with too low an octane rating may cause your engine to fail prematurely.
Knock Sensors
Some engines are fitted with a device called a knock sensor. Regardless of whether your vehicle has a knock sensor or multiple knock sensors, if it has high mileage, a higher RON fuel would be the most mechanically sympathetic thing to do. Why is that?
You see the knock sensors in your engine (if equipped) have a job to do. They protect your engine from knock by retarding timing; but here is the thing - your car ‘has’ to knock first before the knock sensors can do their job! This is not a good start in the first place. When an engine ‘knocks’ the engine temperature soars, and with most modern engines using an all alloy block, heat is bad... very bad.
Of course, modern cars have very advanced fuel control systems and can deal with a much greater variety of fuels than old carburetor models.
The manufacturer of your car does not get kickbacks from the oil companies, and they do not benefit in any way from you spending more money on gas. However, they do see fewer damaged engines that have been run on high-octane gas so they are reasonable in suggesting that you use it.
It may also be that people who spend more money on fuel generally have more money to spend, so they are more likely to conduct regular maintenance and keep their car happy.
Bottom line: If you hear knocking (it's a subtle noise, you might want to get a mechanic to demonstrate it for you), use a higher octane gas. It happens most frequently when climbing a steep hill under heavy acceleration. It can happen to cheap clunkers too and is just as destructive.
So what does all this RON nonsense mean to the average motorist? Does it give you more power like many people suggest? Can you really ‘feel’ that extra power via the driver’s seat? Does a higher RON fuel equal better fuel consumption? The answer to these questions is somewhere between “maybe” and “yes”, but it depends a lot on your car, its state of tune, and how you drive.
Will lower quality petrol damage the engine?
This depends on your vehicle’s engine compression ratio. The compression ratio is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity. A high compression ratio is desirable because it allows an engine to extract more mechanical energy from a given mass of air-fuel mixture due to its higher thermal efficiency. Higher compression ratios will however make gasoline engines subject to engine knocking if lower octane rated fuel is used. This can reduce efficiency or damage the engine.
The compression process caused temperature variation inside the combustion chamber. This will lead to premature ignition of oil, which we refer as knocking. Heavy knocking occurs equal to low performance, equal to serious engine damage as well. The main point here is you must select the petrol with RON suitable to your engine compression ratio.
My advice is reach for the better stuff. Not only are you “spreading the love” to your engine, but you will likely see better mileage and you will be doing your bit for the environment. On the whole, the higher the RON, the cleaner the emissions.
Till next time, Happy and safe motoring.
References:
This article is a rebuttal of Paul Tan's "Research Octane Number: What is RON95?", which contains several misleading information.
RON is actually short form for Research Octane Number. It is a rating for unleaded petrol. Higher Research Octane Number mean the petrol have higher resistance toward pre-ignition or detonation. In very basic terms, it's a measure of how hard the fuel is to ignite.
If you run your vehicle on low octane petrol you might notice a 'knocking', 'rattling', or 'pinging' sound (as it’s often called), which means the fuel is detonating instead of burning smoothly. This is not only a waste of energy, but it can also damage your engine in the long run. Burning is the desired effect of any internal combustion engine (not an explosion per se).
Fuel with a higher octane number suitable for your vehicle's engine will eliminate knocking. Older cars that were designed to run on a lower RON fuel can also benefit from a higher RON, because the older the car and the higher the kilometres, means the engine will have a greater propensity to knock. This is mainly caused by a build-up of contaminants and carbon deposits which, when hot, can cause pre-ignition.
Lower RON numbers means the fuel is more likely to ignite spontaneously, in minor accidents.
In a gasoline engine, ignition is controlled by adjusting the timing and/or intensity of the spark. Providing a spark at exactly the right moment gives you maximum power and efficiency and minimizes pollution. But any compressed air-fuel mixture will spontaneously ignite, or "detonate." This is also known as "knocking," and can destroy your engine in addition to damaging your bank account and the environment. We want gasoline to burn when the spark plug fires, but not when the piston compresses it.
What does this mean to you? If you drive a high-performance sports car that uses high compression and high RPMs, you probably have a minimum safe octane rating for your engine. Using fuel with too low an octane rating may cause your engine to fail prematurely.
Knock Sensors
Some engines are fitted with a device called a knock sensor. Regardless of whether your vehicle has a knock sensor or multiple knock sensors, if it has high mileage, a higher RON fuel would be the most mechanically sympathetic thing to do. Why is that?
You see the knock sensors in your engine (if equipped) have a job to do. They protect your engine from knock by retarding timing; but here is the thing - your car ‘has’ to knock first before the knock sensors can do their job! This is not a good start in the first place. When an engine ‘knocks’ the engine temperature soars, and with most modern engines using an all alloy block, heat is bad... very bad.
Of course, modern cars have very advanced fuel control systems and can deal with a much greater variety of fuels than old carburetor models.
The manufacturer of your car does not get kickbacks from the oil companies, and they do not benefit in any way from you spending more money on gas. However, they do see fewer damaged engines that have been run on high-octane gas so they are reasonable in suggesting that you use it.
It may also be that people who spend more money on fuel generally have more money to spend, so they are more likely to conduct regular maintenance and keep their car happy.
Bottom line: If you hear knocking (it's a subtle noise, you might want to get a mechanic to demonstrate it for you), use a higher octane gas. It happens most frequently when climbing a steep hill under heavy acceleration. It can happen to cheap clunkers too and is just as destructive.
So what does all this RON nonsense mean to the average motorist? Does it give you more power like many people suggest? Can you really ‘feel’ that extra power via the driver’s seat? Does a higher RON fuel equal better fuel consumption? The answer to these questions is somewhere between “maybe” and “yes”, but it depends a lot on your car, its state of tune, and how you drive.
Will lower quality petrol damage the engine?
This depends on your vehicle’s engine compression ratio. The compression ratio is a value that represents the ratio of the volume of its combustion chamber from its largest capacity to its smallest capacity. A high compression ratio is desirable because it allows an engine to extract more mechanical energy from a given mass of air-fuel mixture due to its higher thermal efficiency. Higher compression ratios will however make gasoline engines subject to engine knocking if lower octane rated fuel is used. This can reduce efficiency or damage the engine.
The compression process caused temperature variation inside the combustion chamber. This will lead to premature ignition of oil, which we refer as knocking. Heavy knocking occurs equal to low performance, equal to serious engine damage as well. The main point here is you must select the petrol with RON suitable to your engine compression ratio.
My advice is reach for the better stuff. Not only are you “spreading the love” to your engine, but you will likely see better mileage and you will be doing your bit for the environment. On the whole, the higher the RON, the cleaner the emissions.
Till next time, Happy and safe motoring.
References:
- http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100928094016AA2ts2x
- http://www.icalvyn.com/ron95-petrol-called-research-octane-number-95/
- http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm
- 006 Article by Paul Tan: 2 Research Octane Number: What is RON95?
- Fundamentals of motor vehicle technology by Hiller and Coombes
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