Pixel Array Shutter Control Using Subarrays for High-Speed Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image acquisition systems face challenges in providing high-speed, high-frame-rate imaging due to the difficulty in implementing per-pixel random shutter control, which increases power consumption and reduces spatial resolution, especially for larger pixel arrays, and serial shutter control signal streaming is unsuitable for high-speed imaging.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic in-pixel shutter control scheme using a shutter control signal generator circuit that generates and distributes shutter control signals to subarrays of a pixel array, allowing for efficient temporal and spatial compression by enabling and disabling pixels in groups, reducing power consumption and increasing frame rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If per-pixel random shutter control is implemented, then temporal and spatial compression is achieved, but power consumption increases and spatial resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple subarrays, with each subarray controlled by independent shutter control signals. This segmentation allows selective activation of subsets of pixels, enabling temporal compression through frame interleaving while reducing the total number of pixels requiring simultaneous control signals, thereby lowering power consumption compared to full per-pixel control.
2Productivity
If per-pixel random shutter control is implemented, then temporal and spatial compression is achieved, but spatial resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the pixel array into subarrays and using shift register structures within each subarray, the system maintains spatial organization while enabling temporal compression. The segmented approach allows reconstruction algorithms to recover high-resolution images from compressed data by leveraging the structured sampling pattern across subarrays, thereby preserving spatial resolution better than unstructured per-pixel control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a subarray dimension for organizing pixels, adding a hierarchical structure beyond individual pixel control. This dimensional organization enables efficient memory addressing and signal distribution while maintaining the ability to reconstruct high-resolution spatial information through coordinated control of multiple subarrays.
3Device complexity
If serial shutter control signal streaming is used, then device complexity is reduced, but imaging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent subarray control units, each with its own shift register and shutter control logic. This parallel segmentation allows simultaneous control of multiple pixel subsets, dramatically increasing imaging speed compared to serial streaming while keeping each individual control unit relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing full per-pixel control signals to all pixels simultaneously (excessive action), the system applies shutter control signals to subsets of pixels in different subarrays at different times (partial action). This approach achieves the necessary compression functionality while reducing the instantaneous control signal burden, balancing complexity and speed requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for shutter control. In some embodiments, the system includes: a pixel array for imaging; and a shutter control signal generator circuit, the shutter control signal generator circuit being configured: to control shutters of a first subarray of the pixel array with a first set of control signals, and to control shutters of a second subarray of the pixel array with the first set of control signals.