Signal Processing and Instrumentation

1.1 Analysis and Processing of Medical Images
(Professors Homero Schiabel, Liliane Ventura, and Marcelo Andrade da Costa Vieira)

Development of algorithms for analysis and processing of medical images. Aplications for nodule and microcalcification recognition in mammography. Evaluation of X-ray sensors and development of digital devices to measure KVP, current, exposition time and dosing of X-ray systems. Processing of simulation programs in Ophtalmology. The research activities in this area include:

Evaluation of X-ray medical devices for quality control;
Characterization of the optimal region in mammographical systems;
Classification of microcalcifications in mammographical images;
Development of CAD schemes for detection and analysis of of mamary microcalcifications;
Development of computerized schemes to support cancer diagnosis in dense breasts;
Formation of databases of digital medical images;
Modeling and quality control of radiological systems;
Processing and analysis of topographical images of the human eye;
Image processing, simulation, identification and claassification of eye pathologies.

1.2 Computer Vision
(Professors Adilson Gonzaga; Evandro Luis Linhari Rodrigues)

Development of hardware and software for digitalization, visual inspection, analysis and image recognition. Development of systems for automation, graphical resources and algoriths for the treatment of visual information and study of new methods. The main research activities in this area are focused in:

Hypermedia and telesupervision through computer networks;
Automatic visual inspection for quality control;
Architectures and subsystems dedicated to real-time computational vision;
Determination of movement in image sequences;
Use of digital signal processors in computational vision;
Merger of satellite images from the meteorological viewpoint.

1.3 Sensors and Electronic Instrumentation

1.3.1. Sensors
(Professors Carlos Dias Maciel; Luiz G. Neto; Murilo A.Romero; Ruy A.C. Altafim,)

The research area of sensors and instrumentation is characterized by the study and the development of optical and/or electronic sensors and by the development of instrumentation targeting several applications.

Sensors with optical fibers;
Current and voltage sensors for high voltage transmission lines;
Sensors in integrated optics;
Design and characterization of opto-electronic pressure sensors in the Mach-Zehnder configuration over silicon substract;
Piezoelectric sensors: development of biomedical transducers.

1.3.2. Instrumentation using Signal Processing
(Professors Carlos Dias Maciel; Liliane Ventura)

In this area, the development of systems using new technologies of customized integrated circuits and dedicated processors, including microcontrollers and signal processors are approached. Among the developed activities are:

Instrumentation using DSPs;
Implementation of integrated circuits to perform inherent functions of a DSP;
Measurement system for the study of hydrological variables;
Digital circuit design using VHDL;
Design and optimization of analog circuits;
Researches and development of supporting equipment for diagnosis and cirurgy in Ophtalmology;
Instrumentação utilizando DSPs;