Demonstration of the CDMA-mode CAOS smart camera

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Image Sensors
• Digital Signal Processing

Background:

• Traditional imaging systems struggle with bright light, leading to saturation and loss of target detail.
• High dynamic range (DR) imaging is crucial for applications involving diverse and intense light sources.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a novel smart camera system capable of high dynamic range imaging in bright target scenarios.
• To introduce and validate the code division multiple access (CDMA)-mode coded access optical sensor (CAOS) camera.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a hybrid camera design integrating a CMOS sensor and a digital micro-mirror device (DMD).
• Employed DMD starring mode for initial unsaturated image acquisition, followed by time-modulated CDMA-mode for robust imaging.
• Implemented Walsh design CAOS pixel codes and digital signal processing (DSP) with a 16-bit ADC.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated a proof-of-concept visible band CAOS smart camera operating in CDMA-mode.
• Achieved robust imaging of bright targets using up to 4096-bit Walsh codes at a 10 KHz code bit rate.
• Generated CDMA-mode images with 3600 CAOS pixels and a spatial resolution of 13.68 μm.

Conclusions:

• The CDMA-mode CAOS smart camera is well-suited for bright target scenarios requiring high dynamic range imaging.
• This technology provides un-attenuated, un-spoiled imaging of spectrally diverse bright light targets.
• The system offers a robust solution for target intelligence gathering in challenging illumination conditions.