Pixel Array Charge Combining for Compressive Sampling Memory Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compressive sampling systems require significant temporary memory, processor capacity, and interconnects for pixel addition and subtraction, undermining their memory-saving benefits in high-resolution imaging.
Innovation Solution
Performing pixel addition and subtraction within the focal plane without digitization, using a pixel array with p-type and n-type photodiodes to combine accumulated charges, reducing the need for temporary memory and processor capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If compressive sampling is implemented using conventional digital processing methods, then pixel addition and subtraction can be performed, but significant temporary memory, processor capacity, and interconnects are required, undermining the memory-saving benefits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital processing operations with optical operations performed directly in the focal plane. Photodetectors perform analog addition and subtraction of pixel values through optical means, eliminating the need for digital processors and temporary memory storage. This substitution of optical operations for digital processing resolves the contradiction by maintaining compressive sampling functionality while avoiding the complexity and resource requirements of digital implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs pixel addition and subtraction operations before digitization, directly in the focal plane using photodetectors. By completing the computationally intensive operations preliminarily in the optical domain, the system avoids the need for substantial temporary memory and processor capacity that would be required if these operations were performed after digitization, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If pixel values are digitized before addition and subtraction, then processing can be performed, but large temporary memory storage and numerous interconnects are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes digital processing with optical processing performed directly in the focal plane. Photodetectors perform analog addition and subtraction operations on pixel values before digitization, eliminating the need for large temporary memory storage and numerous interconnects that would be required for digital processing. This maintains processing capability while dramatically reducing memory and interconnect requirements.
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution imaging is implemented with millions of pixels, then image quality improves, but the required memory size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs compressive sampling operations (addition and subtraction of pixel values) before digitization and storage. By preliminarily processing the pixel data in the focal plane to create a compressed representation, the system maintains high-resolution imaging capability while reducing the memory storage requirement from millions of pixels to a much smaller number of processed values, thus resolving the contradiction between image quality and memory size.
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 reduces the demand on analog-to-digital converters, decreases processor power consumption, and improves imaging performance by allowing more accurate digitization with less power usage.
Implementation Method 1
Each pixel includes a photodetector for sensing the light received from the corresponding image pixel
Data Source
AI summary
A pixel array including circuitry for combining charges accumulated by individual pixels in the array enables addition and/or subtraction of individual pixel values, prior to their digitization, in the pixel array.