Focal Plane Integrated Circuit for Clutter-Resistant Object Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensing technologies face challenges in detecting target data within images due to background clutter and require external processors for signal processing, leading to increased size, weight, power consumption, and limited functionality, especially in portable and field environments.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with both sensor and processing capabilities at the focal plane, utilizing parallel analog processing techniques for signal conversion, charge sharing, differencing, and thresholding to detect and filter objects of interest directly on the chip, reducing reliance on external processors and enhancing detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If image sensing is performed with external processors, then signal processing capability is sufficient, but device size, weight, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the image sensor and signal processing circuits into a single integrated circuit chip. The read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) is directly coupled to the focal plane array, merging sensing and processing functions. This integration eliminates the need for separate external processors, reducing device size, weight, and power consumption while maintaining full processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit performs multiple functions: it senses optical signals, converts them to electrical signals, processes the signals through correlation operations, and generates output images. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated processing units, reducing overall system complexity while preserving comprehensive signal processing capabilities.
2Weight of moving object
If external processors are used for signal processing, then processing functionality is adequate, but portability and compactness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sensor array and read-out processing circuits into a single integrated chip, the patent dramatically reduces the physical footprint and weight of the imaging system. This integration makes the device portable and suitable for handheld or mobile applications while maintaining full signal processing functionality.
3Measurement precision
If background clutter is present in the scene, then complete scene imaging is achieved, but target detection accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the relevant target information from the complete scene by using correlation processing with reference images. The system compares the captured scene against stored reference patterns and extracts only those elements that match, effectively filtering out background clutter while preserving target detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correlation processing as an intermediary step between scene capture and target identification. This intermediary process uses reference images to mediate the detection, allowing the system to distinguish targets from background clutter by comparing scene elements against known target patterns.
4Productivity
If parallel processing is implemented on the focal plane, then processing speed increases, but circuit integration density must increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing function into multiple parallel correlation circuits, each handling a specific reference image comparison. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple targets while distributing the computational load across independent circuit units, achieving high processing speed without requiring excessive integration density in a single location.
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 enables compact, efficient, and powerful image sensing with reduced noise, increased detection range, and improved portability, allowing for real-time processing of multiple high-resolution fovea without external digital computers, effectively filtering out clutter and enhancing object detection in complex scenes.
Implementation Method 1
A photo-detector senses an optical signal from a scene and generates a photo-current
Data Source
AI summary
Detection of a target object or a characteristic of that object, e.g. temperature or movement in an image of a scene at a focal plane of the image and with processing of signals representative of the image occurring at that focal plane with a sensor and an integrated circuit processor on an imaging circuit chip used to record the scene. Moreover, processing of the signals representative of the image and the object or characteristic of the object can all be processed in parallel. This arrangement allows for filtering of objects with the ability to distinguish the object generating signals from background clutter. The incorporation of the entire circuit in this integrated circuit chip increases the compactness and efficiency. Moreover, all signal processing will occur at the focal plane eliminates the need for external processing electronics thereby increasing compactness and efficiency while reducing spatial noise.