In certain embodiments, an imaging system includes an enclosure with an objective aperture opening into an interior space of the enclosure, an optical assembly optically coupling the objective aperture to an imaging sensor within the enclosure, a spatial light modulator (SLM) mounted to the objective aperture for selectively blocking and admitting illumination through the objective aperture into the interior space, and an illuminator mounted to illuminate the interior space of the enclosure.

A trigger sense circuit includes a pseudo-differential comparator circuit in signal communication with a pixel array. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit includes a first input in signal communication with a reference pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel reference voltage, and a second input in signal communication with a target pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel target voltage. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit is configured to selectively operate in a calibration mode to remove false trigger events and a comparison mode to detect at least one overheated pixel included in the target pixel group.

To improve the image quality of image data in a solid-state imaging device that reads a signal according to a potential difference between respective floating diffusion regions of a pair of pixels.

A pixel unit is provided with a plurality of rows each including a plurality of pixels. A readout row selection unit selects any of the plurality of rows as a readout row every time a predetermined period elapses, and causes each of the plurality of pixels in the readout row to generate a signal potential according to a received light amount. A reference row selection unit selects a row different from a previous row from among the plurality of rows as a current reference row every time the predetermined period elapses, and causes each of the plurality of pixels in the reference row to generate a predetermined reference potential. A readout circuit unit reads a voltage signal according to a difference between the signal potential and the reference potential.

An image sensor has an image sensor array and circuit design employing a method of black level compensation to address image shading related to global exposure image capture and rolling row by row readout schemes. An image sensor including the invented black level compensation pixel array and method may be incorporated within a digital camera.

Techniques for facilitating imager verification systems and methods are provided. In one example, an imaging device includes a focal plane array. The focal plane array includes a detector array including a plurality of detectors, where each of the plurality of detectors is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation to obtain image data. The focal plane array further includes a readout circuit configured to perform a readout to obtain the image data from each of the plurality of detectors. The imaging device further includes a processing circuit configured to perform a verification of the imaging device based at least on the image data. Related methods and systems are also provided.

A system for obtaining dark current images includes one or more processors and one or more hardware storage devices storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the system to perform various acts. The acts include obtaining a first image frame, generating a first low-pass filtered image by applying a low-pass filter to the first image frame, and generating a first estimated dark current image by subtracting the first low-pass filtered image from the first image frame.

A system for obtaining dark current images includes one or more processors and one or more hardware storage devices storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the system to perform various acts. The acts include obtaining a first image frame, generating a first low-pass filtered image by applying a low-pass filter to the first image frame, and generating a first estimated dark current image by subtracting the first low-pass filtered image from the first image frame.

A non-uniformity correction (NUC) calibration method comprises obtaining image data for a plurality of images with an image sensor, wherein each image in the plurality of images is obtained at a different respective global pixel gain setting and global expose in the image sensor; and using the image data for non-uniformity correction calibration to compute pixel NUC values for the pixels in the image sensor. The method can further include storing the pixel NUC values and obtaining further image data corrected by the stored pixel NUC values. In embodiments, the method can include moving a platform based on the further image data. In certain embodiments, the platform can be a guided munition.

Some examples described herein include a noise-reduction circuit for an image sensor. The noise-reduction circuit can include a reference frame generator configured to generate a reference frame based on a set of image frames received from an image sensor during a calibration phase. The noise-reduction circuit can also include a memory coupled to the reference frame generator. The memory can receive the reference frame from the reference frame generator and store the reference frame for subsequent use during a noise-reduction phase. The noise-reduction circuit can further include a processor coupled to the memory. The processor can retrieve the reference frame from the memory and use the reference frame to reduce noise in an image frame received from the image sensor during the noise-reduction phase.

Some examples described herein include a noise-reduction circuit for an image sensor. The noise-reduction circuit can include a reference frame generator configured to generate a reference frame based on a set of image frames received from an image sensor during a calibration phase. The noise-reduction circuit can also include a memory coupled to the reference frame generator. The memory can receive the reference frame from the reference frame generator and store the reference frame for subsequent use during a noise-reduction phase. The noise-reduction circuit can further include a processor coupled to the memory. The processor can retrieve the reference frame from the memory and use the reference frame to reduce noise in an image frame received from the image sensor during the noise-reduction phase.