Programmable, High-Resolution, High-Speed Digital Video Camera

Low-resolution, solid-state imaging systems exist which are capable of relatively high frame rates (e.g., 500 f/s (f/s)). Other solid- state detectors are capable of reasonably high spatial resolutions; however, these systems are typically limited to less than one f/s capture rate. To date, no single solidstate architecture exists which is capable of selectively imaging at either high speed or high resolution or both simultaneously. Q-DOT proposes the feasibility analysis of a compact electronic imaging system capable of obtaining quality color or monochrome images at frame rates and spatial resolutions which are user programmable. The device consists of a silicon peristaltic charge- coupled device imaging array with GaAs amplifiers bump mounted for use as output structures. Using a novel positioning scheme, the proposed imager can provide formats programmable from 512 x 512 to 8192 x 8192 pixels with frame rates varying from 1 to 10,000 f/s. The system provides the ability to selectively monitor scenes with a wide range of frame rates and spatial resolutions to minimize communications constraints. The primary objective of this Phase I effort is to analyze the proposed imaging system for feasibility of implementation. Analytical results from Phase I will feed directly into the Phase II prototyping effort.