Real-time aerial multispectral imaging solutions using dichroic filter arrays

Eric V. Chandler; David E. Fish

doi:10.1117/12.2053493

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9 June 2014 Real-time aerial multispectral imaging solutions using dichroic filter arrays

Eric V. Chandler, David E. Fish

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Proceedings Volume 9076, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications XI; 90760L (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053493
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2014, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

The next generation of multispectral sensors and cameras needs to deliver significant improvements in size, weight, portability, and spectral band customization to support widespread commercial deployment for a variety of purposebuilt aerial, unmanned, and scientific applications. The benefits of multispectral imaging are well established for applications including machine vision, biomedical, authentication, and remote sensing environments – but many aerial and OEM solutions require more compact, robust, and cost-effective production cameras to realize these benefits. A novel implementation uses micropatterning of dichroic filters into Bayer and custom mosaics, enabling true real-time multispectral imaging with simultaneous multi-band image acquisition. Consistent with color camera image processing, individual spectral channels are de-mosaiced with each channel providing an image of the field of view. We demonstrate recent results of 4-9 band dichroic filter arrays in multispectral cameras using a variety of sensors including linear, area, silicon, and InGaAs. Specific implementations range from hybrid RGB + NIR sensors to custom sensors with applicationspecific VIS, NIR, and SWIR spectral bands. Benefits and tradeoffs of multispectral sensors using dichroic filter arrays are compared with alternative approaches – including their passivity, spectral range, customization options, and development path. Finally, we report on the wafer-level fabrication of dichroic filter arrays on imaging sensors for scalable production of multispectral sensors and cameras.

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Eric V. Chandler and David E. Fish "Real-time aerial multispectral imaging solutions using dichroic filter arrays", Proc. SPIE 9076, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems and Applications XI, 90760L (9 June 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2053493

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