Image Resolution Enhancement Using Microscan and Scene-based Pixel Steering (IR EMSPS)

The innovation is a real-time algorithm and processor that will increase the nominal resolution of an imaging array. IR EMSPS will use a standard 2D infrared imaging array and readout, increase its effective pixel count by 16X, and increase the spatial sampling frequency of the array by 16X. IREMSPS is based on a "microscan", that moves the image in sub-pixel increments, and a scene-based pointing device, that will allow the output of each pixel to be placed into one of many "output" pixels. An added benefit of this autonomous positioning is that the scene may be motion stabilized, allowing for additional processing to take place such as temporal integration. The Phase I goal is to create a system simulation of the algorithm, test it against many expected conditions. This will also include algorithm optimization to minimize required processing power, and an examination of the hardware architecture that will be required for Phase II prototyping.