Multi-aperture Imaging Systems

Multiple aperture imaging systems provide a new dimension of design flexibility. This paradigm provides advantages in many applications. Current DISP projects are underway to explore:

Foveal Vision

Multiple aperture imaging systems allow us to combine both telephoto and wide-angle lenses in the same camera package. For example, with multiple telephoto lenses and COMP-I sampling technology, we can dramatically improve resolution in the central region of the image while still providing an overall large field of view with a single wide-angle lens. This approach parallels the human visual system. The fovea is a central region on the retina that contains densely packed cone cells which result in very high resolution and visual acuity. Human peripheral vision spans a large field of view, but with less spatial resolution. In a real-time application with a human observer, it may be best to appropriate camera resources in a way that mirrors the human visual system. This approach would give situational awareness over a wide field of view and high resolution in the center, exactly where it'll be most effective.

Multispectral

These systems provide a great platform for exploring compressive coding strategies. Digital video data is highly redundant, and thus highly compressible. Multiple aperture imaging systems offer an opportunity to easily throttle the data bit rate as a function of time. For example, only reading out data in one aperture could lead to an order of magnitude reduction in bandwidth. Reduction in bandwidth also comes with dramatic power savings, and a significant amount of power load comes from digitizing pixel data. Offering comparable resolution while measuring fewer pixels translates to power savings, a huge advantage for any remote or battery powered sensor.

Power/Bandwidth Reduction

With custom focal plane development it's possible to integrate multiple pixel arrays each sensitive band in a single package. For example, combining LWIR and SWIR optics and focal plane arrays provides a very robust camera which can operate both day and night. Current techniques use side by side optical systems. With an integrated approach, image registration becomes less of a problem and the fusion process becomes easier.