In an image processing apparatus, a first correction unit corrects imaging data acquired from an infrared imaging device, based on a first correction table, and outputs first corrected data. A second correction unit generates a second correction table for the imaging data in a state in which a shutter is closed, and outputs second corrected data based on the second correction table. A saturated region detection unit detects a saturated region in the imaging data. A shutter control unit performs closing control for the shutter, based on a result of detection of the saturated region. An abnormal pixel detection unit detects whether or not the imaging data acquired in the state in which the shutter is closed includes an abnormal pixel. A selection unit selects and outputs either the first corrected data or the second corrected data in accordance with a result of detection by the abnormal pixel detection unit.

Bias circuit elements for applying voltages/currents to a photodetector are described. Bias circuit elements described are active devices, e.g. mosfets, directly connected to the photodetector signal point, which inject noise that will be amplified/integrated. Lowering 1/f noise in these bias devices uses multiple parallel mosfets and switching the parallel mosfets gates between a bias activation level signal and a voltage sufficient to drive the mosfet into accumulation Gate switching may be accomplished by at least two partially out of phase clocking signals, with at least one parallel mosfet applying bias while another is in accumulation in continuously switched time periods. Gate switching at a frequency higher than the imaging bandwidth, will have negligible effect on the image signal. During the accumulation phase traps present within the conducting channel of each MOSFET will be depopulated, essentially resetting the MOSFET's 1/f noise, allowing for long integration times while controlling 1/f noise.

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.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to a terahertz biometric imaging package comprising: an image sensor comprising an antenna pixel array arranged to detect terahertz radiation transmitted from an object, for capturing an image, each antenna pixel comprises a power detector including an antenna structure for receiving terahertz radiation, wherein the power detector is configured to convert a detected terahertz radiation to a sensing signal at a lower frequency than the frequency of the terahertz radiation, a package top cover arranged to cover the antenna pixel array, wherein the image sensor is configured to capture a terahertz image of an object located on an opposite side of the package top cover, a package bottom part arranged on the other side of the antenna pixel array opposite from the package top cover, wherein the antenna pixel array is encapsulated between the package top cover and the package bottom part.

The present invention relates to a terahertz biometric imaging package comprising: an image sensor comprising an antenna pixel array arranged to detect terahertz radiation transmitted from an object, for capturing an image, each antenna pixel comprises a power detector including an antenna structure for receiving terahertz radiation, wherein the power detector is configured to convert a detected terahertz radiation to a sensing signal at a lower frequency than the frequency of the terahertz radiation, a package top cover arranged to cover the antenna pixel array, wherein the image sensor is configured to capture a terahertz image of an object located on an opposite side of the package top cover, a package bottom part arranged on the other side of the antenna pixel array opposite from the package top cover, wherein the antenna pixel array is encapsulated between the package top cover and the package bottom part.

In a system that captures image data, a distance to an object is measured without adding a range sensor.

A light emitting unit applies invisible light in synchronization with a predetermined light emission control signal. An invisible light pixel photoelectrically converts reflected light with respect to the invisible light to generate a pulse signal as an invisible light pulse signal. A visible light pixel photoelectrically converts visible light to generate a pulse signal as a visible light pulse signal. A counting unit performs processing for counting a number of the visible light pulse signals and perform processing for counting, in synchronization with the light emission control signal, a number of the invisible light pulse signals.

This Orthogonal Code Readout (OCR) electronically expands the dynamic range of CMOS active pixels by adding digital electron wells. The dynamic range of an active pixel is not limited by in-pixel capacitance. When employed as a thermal array readout, OCR simplifies thermal detector array fabrication by eliminating the need for large electron well capacitors. OCR also improves digital quantization beyond that provided by hardware digitizers.

A photodetector interface circuit is described, residing partially or fully within a unit cell per pixel of an FPA. The interface circuit uses an innovative approach to providing pixel level digitization for full frame integration times while maintaining the ability to use integration capacitors of practical sizes. The technique uses successive charge subtraction, removing charge from an integration capacitor successively, triggered by the charge increasing sufficiently to charge the integrator to a reference level, thereby triggering both charge removal and incrementing a count, until all of the current flowing in the photodetector has been accounted for and the count represents the digitization of the photodetector signal. Various options on how to arrange the digitization elements are also disclosed.