Active-Pixel Image Sensor Resolution via Interleaved Diffraction Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current active-pixel image sensors face challenges in increasing resolution without incurring high heat dissipation and frequent recalibration needs, with existing methods like mechanical scanning being prone to mechanical failures and optical waveguide techniques being costly due to high energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple optical transmitters to create offset diffraction patterns, which are then interleaved using time division multiplexing to enhance resolution, reducing the need for recalibration and heat dissipation, and can be combined with other techniques like mechanical scanning or optical phase arrays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical scanning is used to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to mechanical failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an optical-based diffraction pattern generation system. Multiple optical transmitters create offset diffraction patterns that are interleaved using time division multiplexing, eliminating moving mechanical parts while achieving high resolution through optical interference and temporal multiplexing of multiple transmitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic activation of multiple optical transmitters in a time-division multiplexed sequence. Each transmitter is activated periodically to create its diffraction pattern, and the patterns are interleaved in time to build up the high-resolution image without requiring continuous mechanical motion.
2Measurement precision
If optical waveguide techniques are used to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy worsens due to high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the optical transmission function across multiple independent optical transmitters. Each transmitter generates a portion of the diffraction pattern, and the patterns are combined through time division multiplexing. This segmentation allows for lower individual transmitter power requirements compared to a single high-power waveguide system.
Solution Approach 2:
By using periodic activation of multiple lower-power optical transmitters instead of continuous operation of a single high-power waveguide, the system reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining high resolution through the cumulative effect of interleaved diffraction patterns.
3Measurement precision
If optical waveguide techniques are used to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity worsens due to costly implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical waveguide structures with simpler optical transmitters and diffraction-based imaging. This substitution eliminates the need for precise waveguide alignment and fabrication while achieving comparable or superior resolution through the diffraction patterns generated by multiple transmitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple optical transmitters that can serve dual purposes: generating diffraction patterns for high-resolution imaging and potentially serving as illumination sources or range-finding aids. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly improves the resolution of active-pixel image sensors while reducing heat dissipation and the need for recalibration, making them more reliable and cost-effective for applications like 3D LIDAR and hybrid depth sensing.
Implementation Method 1
Light from one optical transmitter is diffracted to create one diffraction pattern, and then light from another optical transmitter is diffracted to create another diffraction pattern
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an active-pixel image sensor that uses a method of offsetting and interleaving to increase its resolution. In a basic configuration of the active-pixel image sensor, light from one optical transmitter is diffracted to create one diffraction pattern, and then light from another optical transmitter is diffracted to create another diffraction pattern. Light from further optical transmitters may also be diffracted to create further diffraction patterns sequentially after that. These diffraction patterns are offset from one another and then interleaved using time division multiplexing so as to create a single pixel output that has higher resolution than is feasible with an active-pixel image sensor that only utilizes one optical transmitter per pixel or that does not use diffraction patterns to create a larger field of view.