Singer Product Apertures for High SNR Coded Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coded aperture imaging faces challenges in achieving optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and efficient decoding for imaging larger objects, as conventional apertures with fixed open fractions are inadequate for varying object sizes, leading to suboptimal image quality and slow decoding times.
Innovation Solution
The use of Singer product apertures, formed by the Cartesian product of two 1-D apertures with balanced decoders, allows for adjustable open fractions and fast decoding by applying balanced decoders to rows and columns, enabling high SNR and rapid image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional apertures with fixed open fractions are used, then the aperture structure is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates when imaging larger objects and decoding time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 2-D aperture is segmented into a Cartesian product of two 1-D aperture sets (rows and columns). This segmentation allows independent decoding of each dimension using separate balanced decoders, reducing the overall decoding complexity and time while maintaining optimal open fractions for improved signal-to-noise ratio in high-resolution imaging of larger objects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional 2-D aperture designs to a dimensional decomposition approach where the 2-D aperture is expressed as a Cartesian product of two 1-D aperture sets. This dimensional change enables fast decoding by applying 1-D balanced decoders independently to rows and columns, significantly reducing decoding time while maintaining high open fractions for better signal-to-noise ratio
2Reliability
If the open fraction is increased to improve SNR for small objects, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the aperture cannot accommodate larger objects effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the open fraction to be independently optimized for each 1-D aperture set in the Cartesian product. This enables the system to adapt to varying object sizes by adjusting the open fractions of the row and column aperture sets, maintaining high signal-to-noise ratio for small objects while accommodating larger objects effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of open fraction from a fixed value in conventional apertures to independently adjustable parameters for each 1-D aperture set. This parameter change enables optimization of the open fraction according to the specific imaging requirements and object size, improving both signal-to-noise ratio and adaptability to varying object sizes
Data Source
AI summary
A coded aperture mask is provided. The coded aperture mask may include a 2-D planar substrate having a plurality of holes constructed based on a Cartesian product of a first 1-D aperture set and a second 1-D aperture set. The first 1-D aperture set may have a first balanced decoder. The second 1-D aperture set may have a second balanced decoder. The Cartesian product may involve the first 1-D aperture set and the second 1-D aperture set arranged in a non-zero angle (e.g., 90 degrees) to each other. The first 1-D aperture set may define a first axis of the 2-D planar substrate. The second 1-D aperture set may define a second axis of the 2-D planar substrate. The plurality of holes on the 2-D planar substrate may correspond to holes in both of the first 1-D aperture set and the second 1-D aperture set.