Methods and apparatus for true high dynamic range (THDR) time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) imaging

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9866770
SERIAL NO

15331455

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Abstract

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In time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) imaging, a charge-couple device (CCD) integrates and transfers charge across its columns. Unfortunately, the limited well depth of the CCD limits the dynamic range of the resulting image. Fortunately, TDI imaging can be implemented with a digital focal plane array (DFPA) that includes a detector, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and counter in each pixel and transfer circuitry connected adjacent pixels. During each integration period in the TDI scan, each detector in the DFPA generates a photocurrent that the corresponding ADC turns into digital pulses, which the corresponding counter counts. Between integration periods, the DFPA transfers the counts from one column to the next, just like in a TDI CCD. The DFPA also non-destructively transfers some or all of the counts to a separate memory. A processor uses these counts to estimate photon flux and correct any rollovers caused by “saturation” of the counters.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Blackwell, Megan H Winchester, US 10 107
Colonero, Curtis B Shrewsbury, US 8 122
Kelly, Michael W North Reading, US 46 437
White, Lauren L Lowell, US 8 233

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