A log-polar image sensor fabricated in a standard 1.2-μm ASIC CMOS process

A CMOS log-polar or foveated image sensor for use in mobile robotic and machine vision applications has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The sensor benefits from a high degree of integration, minimal power consumption, and ease of manufacture due to the use of a standard 1.2 μm ASIC CMOS process. The sensor is composed of two distinct CMOS imager arrays which together solve the problem of obtaining good image resolution over a wide field of view. With resolution sensing is accomplished with a 40×40 array of individual pixels each measuring 9.6 μm on a side. A wide field of view is provided by an array of 64×16 pixels arranged on a log-polar grid. The maximum measured dynamic range for the fabricated log-polar array is 46 dB, while the lowest observed fixed-pattern noise is 0.5% of saturation. Combined power consumption of both arrays is under 2 mW when operating from a single 5-V supply at a frame rate of 30 frames/s