Image sensor innovations for low light levels with active imaging features

Abstract

Advances in CMOS imaging enable image capture at lower light levels. Color detection is also possible where human vision becomes less sensitive in night conditions. In daytime conditions, there are a number of climatic conditions such as rain, fog, snow or smoke etc. that render traditional ‘intelligent’ outdoor cameras that perform various forms of detection and identification tasks relatively ineffective. It has been proven that an adapted five transistor pixel CMOS sensor can perform range-gated active imaging that extends considerably the usability of intelligent cameras in the most difficult conditions. This paper discusses advanced state of the art image sensors with embedded features, with emphasis on the everimportant size, weight, power and cost benefits and discusses the new applications that are enabled.