High dynamic range imaging: Sensors and architectures

Abstract

Illumination is a crucial element in many applications, matching the luminance of the scene with the operational range of a camera. When luminance cannot be adequately controlled, a high dynamic range (HDR) imaging system may be necessary. These systems are being increasingly used in automotive on-board systems, road traffic monitoring, and other industrial, security, and military applications. This book provides readers with an intermediate discussion of HDR image sensors and techniques for industrial and non-industrial applications. It describes various sensor and pixel architectures capable of achieving HDR imaging, as well as software approaches to make high dynamic range images out of lower dynamic range sensors or image sets. Some methods for automatic control of exposure and dynamic range of image sensors are also introduced.