Introduction
IEEE P3366.1 (Standard for Geometry Point Cloud Compression) aims at the standardization of point cloud compression technologies. There is a practical demand for point cloud compression standardization, especially for the transmission of high-volume volumetric data over bandwidth-constrained networks and the processing of such data on storage-constrained consumer devices. Point cloud consists of a set of 3D points with various attributes, that can be used to create and represent 3D models and environments, efficient compression is crucial for these 3D models to be utilized in multiple applications, such as Virtual Reality/Augment Reality (VR/AR), digital culture heritage, manufacturing, and autonomous driving. Developing efficient coding tools for the compression, decompression, processing, and packaging of volumetric data can significantly reduce disk storage requirements and transmission costs. The Volumetric Data Compression Working Group of IEEE Computer Society Data Compression Standards Committee, which leads the development of this standards, recognizes this need and views the standardization of point cloud compression as essential to guarantee immersive experiences.
The development of IEEE 3366 series of standards are collaborative efforts among many institutions and individual experts. Participants in the IEEE standards development individual process act or vote based on their personal and independent opinions derived from their expertise, knowledge, and qualifications.
Importance of Involvement
Participating in standardization activities offers benefits and opportunities for professionals. Engaging in standardization activities allows you to stay at the forefront of your field, keeping pace with the latest progress. These activities bring together experts from various industries, academia, and government bodies. Participating provides a platform to connect with these professionals, fostering collaborations and expanding your professional network. By contributing to the development of standards, individuals can help shape the future in the specific realm and influence the direction of technological advancements, ensuring they meet the needs of end-users and the industry at large.
Working Group participation and membership is on an individual basis (i.e., regardless of affiliation). The types of members include non-voting members, voting members, and observers. In line with the committee’s schedule, the working group convenes a working meeting once every quarter, totaling 4 meetings a year. Additionally, based on member requests or the need for progress in standard development, extra meetings may be held irregularly between quarterly meetings to ensure the normal progress of the working group’s various standard development tasks.
Current Programs and Initiatives
In 2024, the Working Group is actively optimizing the compression tools for efficient point cloud compression and the corresponding definitions of syntax, semantics, parsing, and decoding processes. P3366.1 group has submitted the final specification to the IEEE review committee. The group is preparing for the further editorial correction and review feedback.
The high efficiency of the compression methods embedded in the standard can expedite market adoption by simplifying and reducing the cost of utilizing volumetric data. This standardization facilitates the integration of point cloud data across various systems and platforms, thereby enhancing its usability. Moreover, the standard can catalyze the incorporation of point clouds into emerging industries and applications. These could include immersive communication, autonomous driving, and smart cities, opening new avenues for the application of this technology. IEEE standards welcome diverse perspectives and rely on the collective expertise of participants to develop robust, effective standards. The development of the standard can lead to changes in industry practices, such as how point cloud data is collected, stored, transmitted, and used. It can promote best practices in data management and data quality, as the standard provides guidelines on these aspects.
Conclusion
IEEE P3366.1 is an ongoing point cloud compression standard, part of the practical IEEE 3366 for volumetric data compression. The standard has attracted numerous experts in the volumetric data compression area and provided a platform for seamless communication. IEEE P3366.1 standard demonstrates high compression efficiency and low complexity for various point cloud data. Participating in standardization activities offers benefits and opportunities for everyone in the area. Engaging in the ongoing standard activities allows participants to stay at the forefront of the immersive field, keeping pace with the latest technologies, methodologies, and best practices. IEEE standard provides a well-known platform to connect with tremendous professionals, fostering collaborations and expanding the network. As a leading international consensus-based open standards development committee for data compression, the Working Group is poised for widespread adoption and support in the future. By contributing to the development of standards, individuals can help shape the future in the specific realm and influence the direction of technological advancements, ensuring they meet the needs of end-users and the industry at large.
Link: https://sagroups.ieee.org/3366/
Disclaimer: The authors are completely responsible for the content of this article. The opinions expressed are their own and do not represent IEEE’s position nor that of the Computer Society nor its Leadership.
