Project Title:

Large Dynamic Range CCD Camera

Sensors Unlimited, Inc.
3490 U.S. Route 1, Building 8
Princeton, NJ 08540

93-1-08     14   0610

Large Dynamic Range CCD Camera

Abstract:

We propose to develop a multi-tap 512x512 pixel CCD camera with a
20,000:1 dynamic range and a 60 Hz frame rate. This achievement
will advance the performance of solid state camaras by more than
an order of magnitude. The initial application will be as a
detector for an optical correlator but the camera will find use
in many situations where the 256:1 - 512:1 dynamic range of
conventional CCD cameras is inacequate. During Phase I, we will
work with a 512x512 CCD with 16 output taps to evaluate its
suitability in terms of both signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic
range. At the end of Phase I, we will deliver a working prototype
camera together with a design for a full camera to be developed
during Phase II. The David Sarnoff Research Center (Princeton,
NJ) will provide technical support as well as sample CCDs.

Current video frame rate (30-60 hz) CCD cameras are limited to
8-10 bit dynamic range (256:1 - 1024:1). This performance is not
adequate for many machine vision and scientific imaging
applications such as biological fluorescence, optical
spectroscopy, streak camera readout, etc. A commercial version of
the camera developed at the end of Phase II wlll address those
needs.

CCD, camera, imaging, dynamic range