A high dynamic range CMOS APS image sensor

Abstract

In this paper, a new visible image sensor with 110 dB intrascene dynamic range is reported. The sensor captures four linear response images with different sensitivities simultaneously at 60 frames per second (fps). A real time fusion and dynamic range compression (DRC) algorithm, which is implemented by an FPGA, is also presented. This algorithm can generate a high dynamic range image from the four images of different sensitivity, compresses the composite image’s dynamic range to match that of a normal 8-bit display unit, and displays it at video rate (60 fps). Finally, an accurate measurement method in determining the sensor’s dynamic range is also presented.