Image Sensor Readout Sync With LiDAR for Low-Light Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems fail to synchronize high-resolution image capture and low-light image capture with lidar scanning, resulting in asynchronous timing and difficulties in incorporating and comparing image data with lidar data for sensor fusion and perception tasks.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that temporally coordinates high-resolution and reduced-resolution image capture with lidar scanning by using a controller to execute program instructions, allowing the image sensor to capture full and reduced resolution frames during a single scan interval, synchronized with lidar timing, and includes dark frame subtraction for noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the image sensor captures high resolution images using conventional systems, then image quality is improved, but synchronization with lidar scanning deteriorates resulting in asynchronous timing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple reduced resolution image frames at different time points within a scan interval before the high resolution frame is fully processed. This allows the system to prepare and buffer lower resolution data in advance, enabling synchronized output with lidar scanning without compromising high resolution image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture process is segmented into multiple resolution levels and time points. Instead of capturing a single high resolution frame that would exceed the scan interval, the system divides the capture into several reduced resolution frames at different time points plus a final high resolution frame, allowing each segment to be processed and synchronized within the lidar scan interval.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the image sensor captures both high resolution and low light images during a single scan interval, then sensor fusion capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is designed to perform multiple functions within a single scan interval: capturing high resolution frames for detailed imagery, reduced resolution frames for low light conditions, and dark frames for noise characterization. This multi-functionality enables comprehensive sensor fusion capability without requiring separate dedicated sensors for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by capturing dark frames at specific intervals within the scan period to characterize noise characteristics. These periodic dark frame captures, combined with the regular high resolution and reduced resolution captures, create a structured periodic pattern that simplifies the control logic while maintaining versatility.
3Loss of time
If multiple image frames are captured during a single scan interval, then data alignment with lidar is improved, but computational intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by capturing reduced resolution frames at specific time points within the scan interval rather than maintaining full resolution throughout. This allows the system to achieve adequate temporal alignment with lidar scanning while reducing the computational intensity required for processing, as the reduced resolution frames require less processing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial action by capturing only the necessary number and resolution of frames required for adequate synchronization with lidar scanning. Instead of capturing excessive high resolution frames that would increase computational load, the system uses a combination of reduced resolution frames at key time points plus one high resolution frame, achieving sufficient data alignment with minimal computational intensity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes devices, systems, and methods that relate to obtaining image frames with variable resolutions in synchronization with a clock source. An example device may include an image sensor, a clock input, and a controller. The controller includes at least one processor and a memory. The at least one processor is operable to execute program instructions stored in the memory so as to carry out operations. The operations include receiving, by the clock input, a clock signal. The clock signal is a periodic signal defining at least one scan interval. The operations also include during the scan interval, causing the image sensor to capture a full resolution image frame. The operations yet further include during the scan interval, causing the image sensor to capture at least one reduced resolution image frame.