Terminal-imaging seeker using a spatial light modulator based coded-aperture mask
AssigneeRosemount Aerospace Inc.
InventorJason Graham
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and associated methods relate to creating corrected images of a scene for a terminal-imaging seeker using an electrically-controllable coded-aperture mask pattern embodied in a programmable spatial light modulator. The coded-aperture mask pattern includes a plurality of pinhole-like apertures, each of which is configured to perform pinhole-like lensing of the scene. The plurality of pinhole-like apertures form a multiplex of overlapping images on a focal plane array aligned with the optical axis. An image processor reconstructs, based on a configuration of the plurality of pinhole-like apertures and the multiplex of overlapping images, a single image of the scene.
Claims20
A system for creating a corrected image of a scene for a terminal-imaging seeker, the system comprising:
- a lens configured to receive light from a scene aligned with an optical axis;
- a focal plane array aligned with the optical axis and having an imaging region comprising a plurality of light-sensitive pixels;
- a spatial light modulator capable of generating a plurality of different coded-aperture mask patterns, each having a plurality of pinhole-like transparent apertures, the spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of electrically-controllable elements, each configured to modulate light transmission therethrough in response to an electrical control signal, the spatial light modulator aligned along the optical axis so as to transmit light through the plurality of pinhole-like transparent apertures onto the imaging region of the focal plane array thereby forming a raw super-imposed image of a corresponding plurality of overlapping images of the scene;
- a controller configured to generate a first electrical control signal that causes the spatial light modulator to generate a first of the plurality of coded-aperture mask patterns;
- and
- an image processor configured to create, based on an algorithm corresponding to the first of the plurality of coded-aperture mask pattern and on a first raw super-imposed image, the corrected image of the scene.
A method for creating a corrected image of a scene for a terminal-imaging seeker, the method comprising:
- receiving, via a lens, light from a scene aligned along an optical axis;
- generating, via a controller, a first electrical control signal corresponding to a first of a plurality of coded-aperture mask patterns;
- generating, via a plurality of electrically-controllable elements of a spatial light modulator, the first of a plurality of coded-aperture mask pattern in response to the first electrical control signal generated by the controller, the first of a plurality of coded-aperture mask pattern having a plurality of pinhole-like transparent apertures;
- transmitting a portion of the light received by the lens through the plurality of pinhole-like apertures of the first of a plurality of coded-aperture mask pattern;
- projecting the portion of the light received by the lens and transmitted through the plurality of pinhole-like apertures onto a focal plane array aligned with the optical axis so as to form a first raw super-imposed image of a corresponding plurality of overlapping images of the scene;
- and
- creating, via an image processor, the corrected image of the scene based on an algorithm corresponding to the first of a plurality of coded-aperture mask pattern and on the first raw super-imposed image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.