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Flexible low cost precision cameras have been built to support
multimedia applications for commercial, consumer and military.
The camera sensor array is fully digital with an oversample analog to digital
converter at each pixel. Many methods of per pixel A/D have been developed
and demonstrated for staring and line arrays. These include: first order
or second order with 1 bit sample, first order with multibit sample, 3 loop
cascade as well as continuous sample and gated input. Sample rates of existing
designs include up to 20 megasamples/second per pixel. Well capacity
exceedsing10E10 electrons available for high background sensors. Typical
cameras provide14 bits or greater at high frame rates with noise floor below
20 electrons. Advanced MOSAD cameras with 32bit and 3 electron noise floor
are now available. Monolithic visible light arrays achieve 73% fill factor
and 6E6 electron well capacity in 8 micron pixels. 1 nanowatt, 3 micron pixel
pitch A/D designs are now available. New focal planes with increased capability,
up to 12 megapixels, are being developed at Amain every year. MOSAD focal
planes are available for most imaging needs; UV, visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR
and LWIR cameras.
New Capabilities allowed with MOSAD
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An integrated digital multimedia camera chip is now a
reality.
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Digital image enhancement processing can be put at the
pixel.
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The digital focal plane drives a display without
conversion.
In high volume cost sensitive applications such as automotive, the MOSAD
approach can be used for imaging with infrared or visible light sensors for
panaramic viewing in zero, or low light conditions. Sensors such as speedometer;
engine rpm, etc. can be coupled to the MOSAD array for A/D conversion and
digital processing. A common digitally driven flat panel can be used for
both image and computer report data providing high quality images at very
low cost. With Stream Vision, the display provides higher dynamic range for
improved safety compared to other digital or analog display methods. |
