Systems and methods for combined staring and scanning focal plane arrays
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsDavid Buell, John L. Vampola, Micky R. Harris, Steven Botts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A combined scanning and staring (SCARING) focal plane array (FPA) imaging system having a plurality of modes of operation is provided. In one example, the SCARING FPA system includes a photodetector array with a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a plurality of photodetector rows, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) coupled to the photodetector array, and a processor coupled to the ROIC. The processor coupled to the ROIC is configured to dynamically configure the SCARING FPA between a scanning mode of operation and a staring mode of operation.
Claims19
A combined scanning and staring (SCARING) focal plane array (FPA) imaging system having a plurality of modes of operation, the SCARING FPA system comprising:
- a photodetector array comprising a plurality of photodetectors arranged in a plurality of photodetector rows, the photodetector array including a first photodetector sub-array and a second photodetector sub-array;
- a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) coupled to the photodetector array;
- and
- a processor coupled to the ROIC and configured to:
- dynamically configure the SCARING FPA between a scanning mode of operation and a staring mode of operation;
- capture a first image by analyzing light incident on the first photodetector sub-array responsive to the SCARING FPA operating in the scanning mode of operation;
- and
- capture a second image by analyzing light incident on the second photodetector sub-array responsive to the SCARING FPA operating in the staring mode of operation.
A method of imaging a scene using a combined scanning and staring (SCARING) focal plane array (FPA) imaging system including a photodetector array, the method comprising:
- selecting one of a staring mode and a scanning mode from a plurality of modes of operation of the SCARING FPA system;
- capturing a first image of the scene by analyzing light incident on a first photodetector sub-array of the photodetector array responsive to selecting the staring mode of operation;
- and
- capturing a second image of the scene by analyzing light incident on a second photodetector sub-array of the photodetector array responsive to selecting the scanning mode of operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.