Objective The objective of the SCALAR project is to investigate, develop and implement a family of second generation video coding algorithms with a focus on videotelephony, which could support a large number of user applications. The emphasis will be on the development of a scaleable solution which will allow a flexible and user transparent exploitation of the available bandwidth. The software will be organised in a "toolbox" which will be the basis of an integrated development environment for videocommunication applications. The demonstrators will be designed by selecting and tuning algorithms from the toolbox in order to get maximum performance according to requirements of the application. Algorithms that are developed within the project will be submitted for standardisation within e.g. the ITU and MPEG4 frameworks.In parallel with the algorithm development, research on a flexible hardware architecture shall be conducted and a real-time video communication unit will be designed and built. The generic form of this platform should provide interfaces for various communication channels and peripheral devices as well as a processing capacity for real-time execution of the video coding algorithms. Specific implementations of the architecture are developed for the applications where properties such as low cost and low power consumption are of great importance.The project intends to deliver a versatile toolbox of scaleable compression algorithms useful for industrialisation of a wide range of equipment for transmission of video signals at low bit-rates on the ISDN and PSTN networks and with a perceived visual quality equal or better than H.263. This will include a low-cost hardware platform for real-time execution of the algorithms and applications and technology verified in field tests.An H.263+ compatible VTC (Video Telephony Codec) has already been developed which adds scaleability to allow connectivity in heterogeneous PSTN/ISDN networks. A versatile TAC (Tele-annotation Coding) tool has also been developed to add pointing features to be used in environment such as the Distance Learning application.The SCALAR project has made several contributions to both MPEG4 and ITU-T15. Major contributions concern scaleability, verification model and core experiments. A real time encoding of H.263 achieving 13,5 frames/s has been done to demonstrate the abilities of the TI C80 platform. The decoding has been done using a Pentium processor.Expected ImpactVideo communication technology allowing the use of the common analogue PSTN network. This would extend the potential use of video communication from less than a million ISDN extensions to roughly 200 million extensions. By passing the critical mass in potential reachable market, new applications with positive and possible profound economic and social impact will result.Main contributions to the programme objectives:Main deliverablesDeveloped and trialled a family of second generation video coding algorithms with a focus on videophonyContribution to the programmeContributed to making video communication more widely available over PSTN and mobile networksTechnical ApproachSCALAR will exploit second generation video coding techniques. Coding algorithms developed will be characterised in terms of applicability. A key feature of the approach is the development of a videocoding toolbox to permit coder performance optimisation. The structure of the toolbox will be made as consistent with MPEG4 syntax as possible. A tightly coupled hardware development to achieve real time operation will facilitate technology demonstration, field tests and eventual industrialisation. The toolbox approach will minimise the risks of the project.Summary of TrialField trials of low bit-rate video communication are performed for two different applications: a forest surveillance and fire detection system in Portugal and distant learning in sparsely populated areas of northern Sweden. In the first application a global surveillance of the forest will be performed using a network of surveillance towers with a controllable camera. A set of narrow-band radio channels will be used for communication. In the second test, standard PSTN telephone lines will be used for video communication of lectures from the Umea University. Services like videotelephony, scribble-phone, document and still image transfer will be combined for achieving maximum learning performance.Key IssuesFind high performance, adaptable and scaleable video compression algorithmsDesign low-cost hardware for real-time execution of the algorithmsDemonstrate novel video communication technologiesVerify applications through field testsSupport the standardisation of relevant technologies Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwareengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensorsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationstelecommunications networksmobile networkengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsradio technology Programme(s) FP4-ACTS - Specific programme of research, technological development and demonstration in the area of advanced communications technologies and services, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 1 - Multimedia services Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Ericsson Telecom AB EU contribution No data Address 12625 Stockholm Sweden See on map Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Bang & Olufsen Denmark EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data EID Portugal EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data INESC Portugal EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF SURREY United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address GU2 5XH GUILDFORD See on map Total cost No data University of Linkoping Sweden EU contribution No data Address See on map Total cost No data Università di Genova Italy EU contribution No data Address Via all'Opera Pia 11 16145 Genova See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
