On sensor image compression for high pixel rate imaging: pixel parallel and column parallel architectures

We propose a novel concept of an integration of compression and sensing in order to enhance performance of an image sensor. By integrating the compression function on the sensor plane, the image signal that has to be read out from the sensor is significantly reduced. Thus, the integration can consequently increase the pixel rate of the sensor. The compression scheme we make use of is conditional replenishment that detects and encodes moving areas. In this paper, we discuss design and implementation of two architectures for on-sensor compression. One is a pixel parallel approach and the other is a column parallel approach. We describe both approaches and design and a prototype of pixel parallel architecture.