Visible CMOS Imager with Ultra High Dynamic Range

The recent development of the CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) by the proposers during their former employment at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has, for the first time, permitted large scale integration of supporting circuitry and smart camera functions on the same chip as a high performance image sensor. One of the major challenges facing any image sensor is the ability to handle scenes with wide variation in illumination. Space-based sensors are particularly challenged by this requirement since objects are often sunlit with significant portions in deep shadow. Conventiona charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have relatively-limited intrascene detail is lost in the noise. The proposed ultra-high dynamic range CMOS APS can achieve intrascene dynamic range of the order of 110 dB. Additiona features such as on-chip analog-to-digital converter and on-chip timing and control electronics enable system miniaturization and focal-plane lightweighting. In Phase I, the ultra high dynamic range concept will be explored. Experiments using existing Photobit sensors will be performed to verify achievement of ultra-high dynamic range concepts. In Phase II, implementation of a ultra-high dynamic range sensor with integrated on-chip timing and control circuitry, and ADC, will be performed. Benefits to BMDO include enhanced performance of visible spectrum sensors, and enhanced system performance due to lower power, miniaturizationr and lightweighting. Commercial applications include high volume markets such as automotive driving aids, security systems, and law enforcement.