High dynamic range sensor system and method

A high dynamic range night vision sensor assembly, comprising:

• a plurality of pixel sets, said pixel sets being organized into an array, each of said pixel sets comprising:
• a) a focal plane array comprising a set of pixel elements having a locally selectable integration time;
• b) an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter operatively connected to said focal plane array for acquisition and conversion of an analog signal from each of said pixel elements into a digital signal;
• and,
• c) a dedicated processor operatively connected to said A/D converter and to said focal plane array for managing said selectable integration time for said set of sensing elements and for analyzing said digital signals from each of said pixel elements in said focal plane array, wherein said digital signals from each of said pixel elements is measured by said processor and an integration scaling factor for said focal plane array is computed and controlled by said processor to adjust said integration time.

A method for providing high dynamic range sensing, comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of sensing sets, said sensing sets being organized into a sensing array, each of said sensing sets operating by utilizing the following steps:
• a) sensing a selected physical phenomena using a set of sensing elements having a locally selectable integration time;
• b) acquiring and converting an analog signal from each of said sensing elements into a digital signal using an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter operatively connected to said set of sensing elements;
• and,
• c) managing said selectable integration time for said set of sensing elements and analyzing said digital signals from each of said sensing elements in said set of sensing elements, utilizing a processor operatively connected to said A/D converter and to said set of sensing elements, wherein said digital signals from each of said sensing elements are measured by said processor and an integration scaling factor for said set of sensing elements is computed and controlled by said processor to adjust said integration time.