Fourier Ptychography Lenslet Array Illumination Control

The patent divides the illumination function into multiple segments by using an array of LEDs instead of a single LED. Each LED in the array can be independently controlled and contributes to the overall illumination, thereby increasing the total incident power while maintaining the simplicity of individual LED components. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high throughput without significantly increasing optical setup complexity.

The patent combines multiple low-power LED sources into a unified illumination array that works together to provide sufficient incident power. By merging the output of multiple LEDs and coordinating their activation, the system achieves the cumulative light intensity needed for high throughput imaging while keeping each individual LED component simple and low-cost.

The patent implements dynamic control of the LED array where individual LEDs are activated in different sequences and combinations based on the imaging requirements. This dynamic activation pattern allows the system to optimize the incident power distribution across different spatial regions and time periods, achieving high throughput without requiring all LEDs to operate at maximum power simultaneously, thereby managing optical system complexity.

The patent employs periodic activation patterns of the LED array where different subsets of LEDs are turned on in alternating time periods. This periodic action allows the system to accumulate sufficient incident power over time for high throughput imaging while keeping the instantaneous power requirement and optical system complexity manageable by cycling through different LED combinations.