Microlensed focal plane array (FPA) using sub-pixel de-selection for improved operability

A focal plane array (FPA), comprising:

• a pixilated detector array including a plurality of radiation detectors in each pixel, said detectors having overlapping collection regions with each pixel;
• a microlens array including lens elements that concentrate incident radiation into respective focal regions that are covered by a union of the detectors' overlapping collection regions within each pixel;
• and
• a ROIC that includes for each pixel,
• a summing circuit;
• and
• a plurality of switch elements connected between respective detectors and the summing circuit, each said switch element being switchable between a first state for transmitting a signal received from its corresponding detector to the summing circuit and a second state for blocking transmittal of the signal while allowing the de-selected detector to float to a photovoltage and re-emit some of its accumulated photo charge into the neighboring detectors within the pixel.

A method for operating a focal plane array (FPA), comprising:

• providing a pixilated FPA having a plurality of detectors per pixel, each said detector having a collection region;
• directing radiation incident into respective focal regions that are covered by a union of the detectors' collection regions with each pixel;
• de-selecting defective detectors;
• combining output signals from the remaining detectors within each pixel to form pixel output signals;
• and
• reading out the pixel output signals to form an output image.