Infrared Sensor Array Scan Rate via Column Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning type infrared sensor systems face a trade-off between high frame rate and sufficient integration time, as reducing the scan rate to increase integration time lowers the frame rate, making it difficult to detect rapid variations in radiation intensity and associate closely spaced objects effectively.
Innovation Solution
A scanning sensor system with a sensing element array and multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) where pixels in odd and even columns are selectively connected to corresponding ADCs during each read cycle, allowing concurrent data readout from two sections of the array, effectively doubling or tripling the scan rate depending on the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the scan rate is reduced to increase integration time, then the integration time is improved, but the frame rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) that can be scanned independently. The first section is scanned at a first scan rate while the second section is scanned at a second scan rate, allowing different integration times for different regions. This segmentation enables the system to maintain high frame rates overall while providing sufficient integration time for specific areas of interest.
2Productivity
If the scan rate is increased to improve frame rate, then the frame rate is improved, but the integration time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the sensor array are assigned different scan rates based on their specific requirements. The first section uses a first scan rate optimized for its application, while the second section uses a second scan rate. This local quality approach allows high frame rates in regions where rapid updates are critical, while maintaining adequate integration time in regions where stability is more important.
3Duration of action of moving object
If the scan rate is slowed down to increase integration time, then the integration time is improved, but the temporal resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into multiple sections with different scan rates. This allows the system to maintain high temporal resolution in sections that require fast updates while providing sufficient integration time in other sections. The independent scanning of different sections enables parallel processing of temporal and spatial information.
Data Source
AI summary
A scanning sensor system disclosed. The scanning sensor system induces a sensing element array and multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The sensing element array includes a group of pixels organized in a row and column configuration. During each read cycle, each pixel in an odd column of a row x is selectively connected to a corresponding one of the ADCs that is associated with the odd column pixels, while each pixel in an even column of a row x+(N/2)+1 is selectively connected to a corresponding one of ADCs that is associated with the even column pixels, wherein x is an integer and N is the total number of rows in the sensing element array.