Multi-Plenoptic Imaging System for High-Resolution Wide Field-of-Regard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems face challenges in achieving high-resolution imaging over a large field-of-regard without significant size, weight, and power consumption, while also struggling with smear and blur, especially in fast line-of-sight motion and high-frame rate applications.
Innovation Solution
A multi-plenoptic system that decomposes an image into multiple subfields by rotating the chief ray differently within each subfield, selectively blocks or passes light, and modulates it for spatial-temporal encoding, allowing for simultaneous imaging of a large field-of-regard with reduced smear and blur, using a combination of optical elements and a controller to achieve high-resolution imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a gimbaled seeker is used to achieve high-resolution imaging within a larger field-of-regard, then high resolution is improved, but system size, weight, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field-of-regard into multiple subfields, with each subfield imaged by a separate portion of the FPA. This segmentation eliminates the need for a gimbal to scan the entire FOR, as multiple static subfields are captured simultaneously. The system achieves high resolution in each subfield while maintaining a wide FOR, resolving the contradiction between resolution and system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional scanning approach (gimbal rotation) to a multi-dimensional simultaneous imaging approach. By using multiple subfields captured at different spatial positions on the FPA at the same time, the system achieves wide FOR coverage without the mechanical complexity and weight of gimbal mechanisms.
2Area of stationary object
If ultra-large focal-plane arrays are used to image a large field-of-regard, then field-of-regard is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large FOR into multiple smaller subfields that are imaged by different portions of the FPA simultaneously. This approach uses a moderate-sized FPA rather than an ultra-large FPA, reducing cost and complexity while still achieving wide FOR coverage through the multi-subfield approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a moderate-sized FPA that captures multiple subfields of the FOR simultaneously, rather than requiring an ultra-large FPA to capture the entire FOR in a single frame. This partial action approach reduces hardware complexity and cost while achieving the desired wide FOR capability.
3Productivity
If conventional imaging systems are used to achieve high frame rate imaging, then frame rate is improved, but smear and blur increase during fast line-of-sight motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scene into multiple subfields captured simultaneously by different portions of the FPA. This segmentation allows the system to capture fast-moving scenes without smear and blur because each subfield is captured at the same instant, eliminating the temporal integration issues that cause smear in conventional high-frame-rate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary spatial decomposition of the scene into multiple subfields before detection. By pre-positioning the subfield mappings on the FPA, the system captures all subfields simultaneously at high frame rates without the smear and blur that occur in conventional systems during fast LOS motion.
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 multi-plenoptic system enables high-resolution imaging over a large field-of-regard with reduced smear and blur, while being small, lightweight, and consuming less power, allowing for dynamic trade-offs in field-of-view, resolution, frame rate, and sensitivity, and maintaining foveal imaging with situational awareness.
Implementation Method 1
optical elements are configured to decompose an image within a FOV into a plurality of multi-pixel subfields by rotation of a chief ray within each multi-pixel subfield
Implementation Method 2
The optical elements may be configured to selectively block or pass light from at least a portion of one or more of the subfields
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a multi-plenoptic system with image stacking and method for wide field-of-regard (FOR) high-resolution image are generally described herein. The multi-plenoptic system may include a subfield separator to decompose an image within a wide field of view into a plurality of multi-pixel subfields. The subfield separator may rotate a chief ray within each multi-pixel subfield by a differing amount relative to a rotation of other rays of the subfield. The multi-plenoptic system may also include a subfield modulator to selectively block or pass light from at least a portion of one or more of the subfields and a subfield image formation element to relay the portions of the subfields that are passed by the subfield modulator onto substantially overlapping areas of a common image plane. A single focal-plane array (FPA) may be aligned with the common image plane to provide for high-resolution imaging over a wide FOR.