Dual-Speed ROIC Pixel Masking for High-Rate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional high spatial resolution imaging systems with dual speed ROICs sample only a portion of pixel data, leading to significant bandwidth concerns and inefficient energy capture, while also outputting high-resolution images at lower frame rates.
Innovation Solution
A digital dual speed ROIC capable of capturing full energy during integration, reducing bandwidth by at least four times, and enabling high frame rate imaging with compressed output data that can be reconstructed for high-resolution images using previous frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional dual speed ROICs sample only a portion of pixel data, then bandwidth is reduced, but energy capture efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple blocks, and different blocks are sampled at different frame rates. This segmentation allows the system to capture full energy from all pixels during integration while only transmitting a subset of pixel data at high frame rates, thereby reducing bandwidth without sacrificing energy capture efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pixel array are assigned different sampling rates based on local requirements. High-frame-rate sampling is applied to regions of interest where fast events may occur, while other regions use lower frame rates. This local differentiation maintains energy capture efficiency across the entire array while reducing overall bandwidth requirements.
2Speed
If high frame rates are used to detect fast events, then event detection capability is improved, but resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sampling process into multiple blocks of pixels, where each block can be sampled at different frame rates. This allows simultaneous high-frame-rate sampling for event detection and low-frame-rate sampling for high-resolution imaging, resolving the contradiction between speed and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling rate is made dynamic and adjustable for different blocks of pixels based on their specific requirements. Blocks that need fast event detection operate at high frame rates, while blocks prioritizing image quality operate at lower frame rates, allowing the system to adapt to different operational demands.
3Measurement precision
If low frame rates are used for high resolution imagery, then image quality is improved, but event detection speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the pixel array into multiple blocks with different sampling rates, the system can maintain high resolution in blocks sampled at low frame rates while simultaneously detecting fast events in blocks sampled at high frame rates, thus resolving the contradiction between image quality and event detection speed.
4Use of energy by moving object
If full pixel data is captured during integration, then energy capture is improved, but bandwidth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures full energy from all pixels during the integration period by having all pixels actively integrate, but then segments the output data by transmitting only a subset of pixel blocks at high frame rates. This allows complete energy capture while controlling bandwidth through selective transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs full energy capture (excessive action) for all pixels during integration, but only transmits a partial subset of the captured data at high frame rates. This partial transmission approach maintains energy capture efficiency while reducing bandwidth requirements.
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
The solution allows for high-resolution imagery at lower frame rates and high frame rate imagery for detecting fast events, while significantly reducing bandwidth and preserving scene energy, facilitating efficient image capture and transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor system includes a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetectors for receiving incident light and providing analog pixel values representative of the intensity of the incident light
Data Source
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AI summary
An imaging system includes a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) configured to receive high spatial resolution imagery having a detected amount of energy from a detection device. The ROIC includes a mask generator and a high-resolution image decode. The mask generator applies a pixel mask to the high spatial resolution imagery so as to generate compressed high spatial resolution imagery that preserves the detected amount of energy. The high-resolution image decoder receives the compressed high spatial resolution imagery and decompresses the compressed high spatial resolution imagery and obtain the high spatial resolution imagery having a detected amount of energy.