Perception Studio

The Perception STUDIO is a software suite for hyperspectral data acquisition and processing. Based on an extensible plug-in framework, the Perception STUDIO allows a generic access to hyperspectral data.

		The Perception STUDIO is the “interface” to all functionality provided by plug-ins. The work with sessional data sets is facilitated through projects.

Without plugins the Perception STUDIO itself is just an empty shell. By extending the Perception STUDIO by plugins, data processing solutions for various use-cases can be composed. From acquisition and exploratory analysis till the configuration of a data processing core, all steps are supported by base plug-ins like ACQUIRE, EXPLORE or MODEL. Through developing custom plug-ins, specialization to dedicated applications is possible.

Our partners particularly appreaciate that they only need to provide one software solution for the entire hyperspectral imaging workflow.

Perception STUDIO is available for free and is included when purchasing a Perception Plugin. For using the Perception STUDIO without plugins of Perception Park please ask for a customized quotation.

1. Import & Export of Data:

Supported data formats:

HSD – hyperspectral Data (Perception Parks native file format)
CSV – comma separated (ASCII) values
ENVI
MATLAB

2. Project Browser:

The Project Browser facilitates the work with hardware and software components as well as data through projects. A project is like a container collecting all data of a current investigation. By means of the project browser, hardware, software or data specific properties and actions are accessible.

3. License Manager:

The license manager enables the commercialization of plug-ins and “valued data”. New distribution possibilities are gained especially for custom plug-ins.

4. Encryption System:

Through encryption the distribution of “valued data” can be transferred safely but can also be offered for sale. “Valued data” are data of a certain value like a specific spectra set, configuration (model), know-how (documentation), etc. For the user, the Perception STUDIO supports the work with “valued data” in the same way like the work with plugins.

5. Help System:

The Help System provides all necessities for helping the user to understand the functionality of software components like plug-ins.

6. User Interface Framework

By means of the User Interface Framework an extensible, free to design and configurable “interface” to functionality is obtained. Especially for custom plug-ins, this mechanism allows important adaptions to the needs of a certain function or application.

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System Requirements & Technical Data

Operating System:		Windows 7, 64bit
Memory:		> 4GB
Extension:		by Plugins
Size of Download		approx. 100 MB
Free Disk Space		150 MB

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What are Plug-in's

A plugin consists of a specification and a number of shared libraries. The specification describes all of the information needed to load the plugin: It defines what shared libraries are needed, what other plugins have to be loaded and what interactions a plug-in has with other plugins.

Plugins interact with the Perception Studio and with each other through extension-points. Each extension-point is described in the plugin specification and is typically a function in a shared library. The function knows what to do when other plugins extend the extension-point. To extend an extension-point, other plugins provide extensions, which are described in their specifications and that the extension-point of interest understands.

Many plugins can be completely described by their specification, without any shared libraries. They make use of the extension-points from other plugins which only need to read the specification to know what to do. Others need to provide a shared library to either create extension points or to add code based extensions.

Plugins can interact with each other, and the Perception Studio. There can be many plugins, all working together. The Perception System will manage plugin dependencies and ensure that only necessary plugins and extension-points are created.

Extension-points can be extended multiple times and plugins can even extend their own extension-points. The application can also provide extension points for plugins to use.

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The Mechanism of Perception Studio

As shown in the figure, the Perception Studio provides core functionality such as “Plug-in Manager” for loading plug-ins, managing dependencies or version management. Further helpful functionality like our encryption based on AES, our project browser that manages all files generated by plug-ins and a predefined help system are integrated into the Perception Studio. All of this functionality can be used by all plug-ins including a way for plug-ins to register themselves with the Perception Studio and a protocol for the exchange of data with other plug-ins.

Plug-ins depend on the services provided by the Perception Studio and usually do not work by themselves. Conversely, the Perception Studio operates independently of the plug-ins, making it possible for end-users to add and update plug-ins dynamically without the need to make changes to the core program (Perception Studio).

A plug-in itself is simply a *.dll-File to be installed and is an extension to the core functionality of Perception Studio. Therefore Perception Studio provides various Extension Points where plug-ins can be integrated. This extension points are open for all developers and a SDK (Software Development Kit) is available.

The Perception Studio initializes the plugin system, decides what capabilities plugins can use and then proceed with its ordinary tasks.

Several plugins are provided which can be used with the Perception Studio and also with any other plug-in (if the plug-in allows them). For developing plug-ins, an SDK (Software Development Kit) is provided.

Extension Point for Hardware

The extension point for hardware is an interface for the communication with hardware components and allows the implementation of hardware devices like different cameras. There are no limitations which hardware can be integrated.

Consequently beside standard push-broom imagers also other sensors for staring imaging, whisk-broom imaging or snapshot imaging can be integrated. Further hardware like traversing tables, sampling devices or even acoustic cameras can be implemented too.

By this multi-camera-systems can easily be set up and controlled by one single software solution.

Extension Point for File Formats

The extension point for file formats allows the implementation of all needed file formats such as configuration files for hardware. It also supports a plug-in to save and convert data in various file formats.

This is commonly used by users that have a proprietary file format. Furthermore this interface is a possibility to use Perception Studio methodology with data from third party applications.

Extensionpoint for User Interface

The extension point for the user interface provides the possibility to design perspectives, wizards or editors which are specialized to a dedicated application. This is often necessary to make a whole workflow accessible and easy to use.

It is quite easy to access the user interface extension point due that the Perception Studio is based on the Qt Project. Qt is a cross-platform application and UI framework for developers using C++ or QML, a CSS & JavaScript like language.

Extension Point for Algorithms

Developers of algorithms for applications based on spatially resolved and multidimensional data (e.g. hyperspectral data) can bring their methodology into the Perception Studio by accessing the extension point for algorithms. Developers can implement their algorithms without worrying that their plug-ins could be reengineered.

Especially research organizations appreciate this functionality because they just need to develop methodology for their customers and can use the framework and basic functionality of Perception Studio to shorten time to market and to keep their own software solution extendable.

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