A CCD/CMOS based imager with integrated focal plane signal processing

A focal plane processor, which performs image acquisition, smoothing, and segmentation, has been designed, fabricated, and characterized, using CCD/CMOS. Image brightness is transferred into signal charge using standard CCD imaging techniques. The two-dimensional Gaussian smoothing operation is approximated by a discrete binomial convolution of the image with a fully controllable support region. The design incorporates segmentation circuits with variable threshold control at each pixel to preserve edges in the image. Once processed, the image can be read out using a standard CCD clocking scheme. The design reduces requirements on subsequent signal processing circuits and eliminates the need for a spatial anti-aliasing prefilter.<>