Three-dimensional imaging processing module incorporating stacked layers containing microelectronic circuits

Abstract

A 3-D LADAR imaging system incorporating stacked microelectronic layers is provided. A light source is imaged upon a target through beam shaping optics. Photons reflected from the target are collected and imaged upon a detector array though collection optics. The detector array signals are fed into a multilayer processing module wherein each layer includes detector signal processing circuitry. The detector array signals are amplified, compared to a user-defined threshold, digitized and fed into a high speed FIFO range bin. Dependant on the value of the digit contained in the bins in the register, and the digit's bin location, the time of a photon reflection from a target surface can be determined. A To trigger signal defines the reflection time represented by each bin location by resetting appropriate circuitry to begin processing. The bin data representing the photon reflections from the various target surfaces are read out of the FIFO and processed using appropriate circuitry to create a 3-D point cloud for creating a 3-D target image.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60,462,677, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference and to which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 USC 119. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] N / A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] 1. Field of the Invention [0004] The instant invention relates generally to the field of LADAR (laser-radar) imaging technology. Specifically, the instant invention relates to a device which allows three-dimensional laser imaging of partially obscured or camouflaged targets with very high range resolution and sensitivity. [0005] Current LADAR imaging typically comprises scanning a target with a laser and detecting the reflected photons, also referred to as a laser echo, with a photon detector such as a focal plane array. The time required for return of the laser echo from the target to the photon detector is calculated t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a photon source, optical components, and a processing module that can generate a three-dimensional image on an electronic display from the output of the processing module. The processing module contains stacked layers of readout electronics integrated circuit chips, which increase detector output processing circuit density while minimizing circuit lead length and associated capacitance. The result is the ability to integrate a large detector array with associated dedicated detector readout circuitry within a very small module. The module can resolve small, three-dimensional target features based on laser echoes sensed by each detector pixel on the detector array while simultaneously providing dedicated processing channels for each detector. The high bit in a range bin may, for instance, be designated as indicating the time of arrival of a laser echo, based on its location within the set of range bins. The range bin data is multiplexed off of the processing module to external circuitry which, in turn, interprets the data and converts it to a usable form, such as a 3-D point cloud for representation as an electronic image on a display."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, existing LADAR imaging systems lack the necessary circuit speed and capacity to achieve very high (i.e., centimeter) range resolution and sensitivity.

Nonetheless, these types of sensors are undesirable where accurate scene information in a complex video environment (i.e., camouflaged or partially obscured targets) is an important factor in the observer's decision-making.

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