Texas Instruments Analog and DSP Technologies Seminars

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
8:00-9:30 am
CSL Auditorium – B02

Seminar # 1:

Topic:  Texas Instruments (TI) Analog and Digital Signal Processing Technologies 
Enabling Innovation 
Abstract:  An overview of TI products roadmap and analog and digital signal processing 
technologies enabling researchers and engineers to advance science and to innovate in 
this digital internet age will be presented.  Challenges we are facing today in the area of 
high definition video conferencing, video surveillance, video analytics, medical imaging, 
and ultra-low power signal processing will also be highlighted.   
Speaker:  Dr. Thanh Tran is the Video Conferencing Engineering Manager at Texas 
Instruments Inc.   Before he joined TI in 2002, he had other senior design positions at 
Compaq Computer, ReplayTV, Eagle Wireless Incorporated, Bose Corporation and Zenith 
Electronics Corporation.  He is an IEEE Senior member and is also an adjunct faculty 
member at Rice University.  Thanh has published over 18 technical papers and currently 
holds 21 issued patents related to designs of HDTV, video, audio, computer, and 
communication systems.  He received a BSEE degree from the University of Illinois 
at Urbana-Champaign in 1984 and Master of Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in 
Electrical Engineering degrees from the University of Houston in 1995 and 2001 
respectively.  

Seminar # 2:

Topic:  Challenges for DSP-based computer vision
Abstract:  The design of DSPs for digital cameras has led to millions of programmable 
cameras, with image and video processing implemented in software (C code).  These 
camera processors are enabling new computer vision applications such as automotive 
vision and video analytics.  We will discuss a few examples and related challenges for 
computer vision research.
Speaker:  Dr. Bruce Flinchbaugh, TI Fellow, is director of the Video and Image 
Processing Laboratory in the DSP Solutions R&D Center, Dallas.  His current projects 
target imaging, video, vision and graphics algorithms and architectures for applications 
including camera phones, video surveillance, automotive safety and media players.

Seminar # 3:

Topic:  Ultra Low Power Semiconductors Enable 4G Communications and Medical 
Electronics
Abstract:  The emergence of 4G communications products is enabled by advancements 
in deep submicron semiconductor technology. Designs with 10 – 100 million gates must 
now be battery powered in portable devices and handsets. The ability to define advanced 
signal processing algorithms meeting or exceeding application requirements, and then 
mapping these to low power, low cost silicon platforms is essential for the widespread 
deployment of these new products. At the same time, health care has emerged as a broad 
based application requiring high performance signal and image processing at one end of 
the spectrum (e.g., ultrasound), and ultra low power designs at the other end for implantable 
devices. The requirements and challenges of this emerging domain are discussed. 
Speaker:  Dr. Don Shaver is a Texas Instruments Fellow and Director of TI's Communications 
and Medical Systems Laboratory. The laboratory has an established team of technologists 
focused on advanced wireless and wireline communications technology and design. Recently, 
the laboratory has initiated R&D programs in high performance and ultra low power 
medical electronics. Don has established several R&D programs internationally, and has 
been responsible for developing products with embedded, low power signal processing. 
Several key technologists in Don’s lab are from UIUC.