Multi-channel imaging devices comprising unit cells

A multi-channel imaging device comprising:

• a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell configured to generate a complete image of a scene that is dedicated to an image channel and each unit cell comprising an array of pixels capable of detecting radiation in a predetermined band;
• a lens element configured to image the complete image onto the array of pixels, wherein each lens element is arranged having an offset relative to the array of pixels within the unit cell such that there is a sub-pixel shift of the complete image relative to the complete image of adjacent unit cells;
• and
• at least one pair of adjacent unit cells dedicated to a spectral-polarimetric channel or a polarimetric channel such that the polarization orientation of the radiation filtered by a first unit cell of the pair of adjacent unit cells is orthogonal to the polarization orientation of the radiation filtered by a second unit cell of the pair of adjacent unit cells.

A method of generating multi-channel imagery of a scene comprising:

• receiving a plurality of complete images of the scene from a multi-channel imaging device comprising a plurality of unit cells, each of the unit cells comprising an array of pixels configured to detect radiation in a predetermined wavelength band and a lens element, wherein:
• each of the unit cells is configured to generate a complete image of the scene;
• each of the unit cells is dedicated to an image channel;
• and
• at least one pair of adjacent unit cells are dedicated to at least a polarimetric channel such that the polarization orientation of radiation filtered by a first unit cell of the pair of adjacent unit cells is orthogonal to the polarization orientation of radiation filtered by a second unit cell of the pair of adjacent unit cells.
• combining the plurality of complete images provided by the plurality of unit cells that correspond to a given channel, thereby generating multi-channel imagery of the scene;
• comparing the complete images of unit cells that are dedicated to a given image channel;
• obtaining a range estimate of a target within the scene based at least in part on the comparison of the images of unit cells dedicated to the given image channel. and
• detecting linear polarization of objects within the scene.