Noise analysis and measurement of time delay and integration charge coupled device

Time delay and integration （TDI） charge coupled device （CCD） noise sets a fundamental limit on image sensor performance, especially under low illumination in remote sensing applications. After introducing the complete sources of CCD noise, we study the effects of TDI operation mode on noise, and the relationship between different types of noise and number of the TDI stage. Then we propose a new technique to identify and measure sources of TDI CCD noise employing mathematical statistics theory, where theoretical analysis shows that noise estimated formulation converges well. Finally, we establish a testing platform to carry out experiments, and a standard TDI CCD is calibrated by using the proposed method. The experimental results show that the noise analysis and measurement methods presented in this paper are useful for modeling TDI CCDs.

Charge Couple Device-Based Systemfor3-di mensional Real Ti me Positioning on the Assessment of Segmental Range of Motion of Lumbar Spine

Objective： To observe the tested results of the segmental range of motion （ROM） of lumbar spine by charge couple device （CCD）-based system for 3-dimensional real-time positioning （CCD system）, and to analyze its clinical significance. Methods： Seven patients with lumbar joint dysfunction and 8 healthy subjects were tested twice by the CCD-based system with an interval of 10 min. Results： The ROM of the patients was obviously lesser than that of the healthy subjects. The measuring data of segmental ROM of lumbar spine by CCD system is correlated significantly to the same data checked later on the same subjects in every direction of the movements. The differences between two checks are usually less than 1 degree. Conclusion： Specially designed CCD based system for 3-dimensional real-time positioning could objectively reflect the segmental ROM of lumbar spine. The system would be of great clinical significance in the assessment of the biomechanical dysfunction of lumbar spine and the effect of the treatment applied.

Research on detection of lane based on machine vision

To prevent a vehicle from departing the lane in assistant or automatic steering, real-time vision-based detection of lane is studied. The system architecture, detecting principle and lane model are described. Then the detecting algorithm of the lane image is discussed in detail. In this algorithm, several proper sub-windows in one image are first selected as the processing regions. To every sub-window, by means of such steps as appropriate pre-processing, edge detection and Hough transform, etc., the lane description features are extracted. Experimental results reveal that this detection method is of good real-time, high recognition reliability and strong robustness, etc., which can provide the decision-making foundation for the following automatic or assistant steering to some extent.

Experimental Investigation of Wave Heights in A Directional Wave Field Through Image Sequences

Measurements of wave heights with image sequences from a Charged Coupled Device(CCD) camera were made. Sinusoidal, as well as unidirectional and directional, waves were used for the experiments. A transfer function was obtained by calibration of the magnitudes of the gray values of the images against the results of wave gauge measurements for directional waves. With this transfer function, wave heights for regular waves were deduced. It is shown that the average relative errors are smaller than 16% for both unidirectional and directional waves.

The future of wireless capsule endoscopy

We outline probable and possible developments with wireless capsule endoscopy. It seems likely that capsule endoscopy will become increasingly effective in diagnostic gastrointestinal endoscopy. This will be attractive to patients especially for cancer or varices detection because capsule endoscopy is painless and is likely to have a higher take up rate compared to conventional colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Double imager capsules with increased frame rates have been used to image the esophagus for Barrett's and esophageal varices. The image quality is not bad but needs to be improved if it is to become a realistic substitute for flexible upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy. An increase in the frame rate, angle of view, depth of field, image numbers, duration of the procedure and improvements in illumination seem likely. Colonic, esophageal and gastric capsules will improve in quality, eroding the supremacy of flexible endoscopy, and become embedded into screening programs. Therapeutic capsules will emerge with brushing, cytology, fluid aspiration, biopsy and drug delivery capabilities. Electrocautery may also become possible. Diagnostic capsules will integrate physiological measurements with imaging and optical biopsy, and immunologic cancer recognition. Remote control movement will improve with the use of magnets and/or electrostimulation and perhaps electromechanical methods. External wireless commands will influence capsule diagnosis and therapy and will increasingly entail the use of real-time imaging. However, it should be noted that speculations about the future of technology in any detail are almost always wrong.

Treatment of Wet FGD Wastewater by a Modified Chemical Precipitation Method Using a Solid Powder Reagent

This research focused on developing a modified chemical precipitation (MCP) method for treating wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) waste water by adding a solid powder reagent directly. Simulated wet FGD wastewater was treated by MCP method in simulation experiments. Optimization experiments were carried out with the help of response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD) to evaluate the effects and the interactions of experimental variables, including reagent dosage, temperature and pH value. The optimal reagent dosage, temperature and pH value were 3018.0 mg/L, 40.5 °C and 5.7, respectively. The RSM was demonstrated as an appropriate approach for the optimization of wet FGD wastewater treatment with the MCP method. A comparative study between the MCP method and the traditional chemical precipitation (TCP) method on raw wet FGD wastewater treatment was conducted. Results indicate that the MCP had less reagent dosage and variety than the TCP method had. Thus, the MCP method had a lower cost. © 2017, Tianjin University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Calibration and Monte Carlo simulation of a single-photon counting charge-coupled device for single-shot X-ray spectrum measurements

A Princeton Instruments PI-LCX 1300 charge-coupled device （CCD） camera used for X-ray spectrum measurements in laser-plasma experiments is calibrated using three radioactive sources and investigated with the Monte Carlo code Geant4. The exposure level is controlled to make the CCD work in single photon counting mode. A summation algorithm for obtaining accurate X-ray spectra is developed to reconstruct the X-ray spectra, and the results show that the developed algorithm effectively reduces the low-energy tail caused by split pixel events. The obtained CCD energy response shows good linearity. The detection efficiency curves from both Monte Carlo simulations and the manufacturer agree well with the experimental results. This consistency demonstrates that event losses in charge collection processes are negligible when the developed summation algorithm of sDlit Dixel events is emDloved.

An Automatic System of Vehicle Number-Plate Recognition Based on Neural Networks

This paper presents an automatic system of vehicle number-plate recognition based on neural networks. In this system, location of number-plate and recognition of characters in number-plate can be automatically completed. Pixel colors of Number-plate area are classified using neural network, then color features are extracted by analyzing scanning lines of the cross-section of number-plate. It takes full use of number-plate color features to locate number-plate. Characters in number-plate can be effectively recognized using the neural networks. Experimental results show that the correct rate of number-plate location is close to 100%, and the time of number-plate location is less than 1 second. Moreover, recognition rate of characters is improved due to the known number-plate type. It is also observed that this system is not sensitive to variations of weather, illumination and vehicle speed. In addition, and also the size of number-plate need not to be known in prior. This system is of crucial significance to apply and spread the automatic system of vehicle number-plate recognition.

Surface diffuse discharge mechanism of well-aligned atmospheric pressure microplasma arrays

A stable and homogeneous well-aligned air microplasma device for application at atmospheric pressure is designed and its electrical and optical characteristics are investigated. Current-voltage measurements and intensified charge coupled device （ICCD） images show that the well-aligned air microplasma device is able to generate a large-area and homogeneous discharge at the applied voltages ranging from 12 kV to 14 kV, with a repetition frequency of 5 kHz, which is attributed to the diffusion effect of plasma on dielectric surface. Moreover, this well-aligned microplasma device may result in the uniform and large-area surface modification of heat-sensitive PET polymers without damage, such as optimization in hydrophobicity and biocompatibility. In the biomedical field, the utility of this well-aligned microplasma device is further testified. It proves to be very efficient for the large-area and uniform inactivation of E. coli cells with a density of 103/cm2 on LB agar plate culture medium, and inactivation efficiency can reach up to 99% for 2-min treatment.

128×128 element PtSi infrared CCD image sensor

A new 128×128 element PtSi Schottky barrier infrared image sensor with ITCCD readout structure and PtSi thin film optical cavity detector structure has been fabricated,which has 50μm×50 μm pixels,a fill factor of 40 percent,the nonuniformity of 5% or less and the dynamic range of over or equal to 50 dB.The noise equivalent temperature difference is 0.2 K with f/1.0 optics at 300 K background. In this paper,the principle of operation,design consideration and fabrication technology for the device are described.

Design and implementation of high speed TDI CCD timing-driven circuits

The time delay integration charge coupled device(TDI CCD)is the key component in remote sensing systems.The paper analyzes the structure and the working principles of the device according to a customized TDI CCD chip.Employing the special clock resources and large-scale phase locked logic(PLL)in field-programmable gate arrays(FPGA),a timing-driven approach is proposed,using which all timing signals including reset gate,horizontal and vertical timing signals,are implemented in one chip.This not only reduces printed circuit board(PCB)space,but also enhances the portability of the system.By studying and calculating CCD parameters thoroughly,load capacity and power consumption,package,etc,are compared between various candidates chips,and detailed comparison results are also listed in table.Experimental results show that clock generator and driving circuit satisfy the requirements of high speed TDI CCD.

The Design ＆ Implementation of Multimedia Sensor Node and the Building of Multimedia Network in Smart Home

With the requirements of multimedia service increasing in people＇ s life, sensor modules such as microphone, camera are added in the smart home＇ s sensor network, and the acquisition and processing of a large amount of information media such as audio, image and video is becoming a significant characteristics of smart home. The paper focuses on solving the following technical problems： the building of Zigbee multimedia network, the Design and selection of multimedia sensor node. These provide the basic network platform and the core technical support for the building of smart home.

Characteristics of the CsI:Tl Scintillator Crystal for X-Ray Imaging Applications

Scintillators are high-density luminescent materials that convert X-rays to visible light. Thallium doped cesium iodide (CsI:Tl) scintillation materials are widely used as converters for X-rays into visible light, with very high conversion efficiency of 64.000 optical photons/MeV. CsI:Tl crystals are commercially available, but, the possibility of developing these crystals into different geometric shapes, meeting the need for coupling the photosensor and reducing cost, makes this material very attractive for scientific research. The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of using radiation sensors, scintillators type, developed for use in imaging systems for X-rays. In this paper, the CsI:Tl scintillator crystal with nominal concentration of the 10-3 M was grown by the vertical Bridgman technique. The imaging performance of CsI:Tl scintillator was studied as a function of the design type and thickness, since it interferes with the light scattering and, hence, the detection efficiency plus final image resolution. The result of the diffraction X-ray analysis in the grown crystals was consistent with the pattern of a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure. Slices 25 × 2 × 3 mm3 (length, thickness, height) of the crystal and mini crystals of 1 × 2 × 3 mm3 (length, thickness, height) were used for comparison in the imaging systems for X-rays. With these crystals scintillators, images of undesirable elements, such as metals in food packaging, were obtained. One-dimensional array of photodiodes and the photosensor CCD (Coupled Charge Device) component were used. In order to determine the ideal thickness of the slices of the scintillator crystal CsI:Tl, Monte Carlo method was used.

Spectral calibration in spectral domain optical coherence tomography

A novel spectral calibration method is developed for spectral domain optical coherence tomography system. The method is based on two measurements of interference spectra from two reference mirror positions. It removes the influence of dispersion mismatch, and hence accurately determines the spectral distribution on the line-scan charge-coupled device （CCD） for sequent precise interpolation. High quality imaging can be realized with this method. Elimination of the degradation effect caused by dispersion mismatch is verified experimentally, and improved two-dimensional （2D） imaging of fresh orange pulp based on the proposed spectral calibration method is demonstrated.

Space optical remote sensor image motion velocity vector computational modeling, error budget and synthesis

For space optical remote sensor (SORS) with either film or time delay and integrate charge coupled device (TDI-CCD) imaging, in order to achieve higher resolution it requires more accurate real-time image motion compensation. This primarily depends on real-time computation of the image motion velocity vector (IMVV) and error budget and synthesis on related parameters. An effective modeling scheme is introduced and the derivation of IMVV equation, error budget and synthesis by Monte-Carlo method are presented in detail. This total solution was applied to SORS system test on orbit and has been confirmed to be very accurate based on the resolution, transfer function at Nyquist frequency, signal-to-noise ratio and average gray scale of the captured images.

Measurement of spatial object's exterior attitude based on linear CCD

It is difficult to realize real-time measurement of exterior attitude by the traditional systems based on the area image sensor which have conflict between speed and accuracy. The subsystem for three-dimensional （3D） coordinate reconstruction of point target （S3DCRPT） which is composed of three one-dimensional （1D） cameras based on linear charge-coupled device （CCD） can determine the distant light spots＇ spatial position. The attitude angle of the measured object is determined by the spatial solution while the coordinate reconstruction is separately carried on by the S3DCRPT with some point cooperation targets （PCTs） on the measured object. A new optical system is designed to solve the interference problem with one-to-one relationship between the PCTs and the S3DCRPT optical subsystems, which improves the measurement accuracy and saves space. The mathematical model of the attitude measurement is established, and partial and global calibrations are realized for the multi-camera attitude measurement system. The test results show the feasibility of the exterior attitude measurement based on linear CCD.

Complex-wave retrieval based on blind signal separation

In tile process of the reconstruction of digital holography. the traditional methods of diffraction and filtration are commonly adopted to recover the original complex-wave signal. Influenced by twin-image and zero-order terms, the above-mentioned methods, however, either limit tile field of vision or result in the loss of the amplitude and phase. A new method for complex-wave retrieval is presented, which is based on blind signal separation. Three frames of holograms are captured by a charge coupled device （CCD） camera to form an observation signal. The term containing only amplitude and phase of complex-wave is separated, by means of independent component analysis, from the observation signal, which effectively eliminates the zero-order term. Finally. the complex-wave retrieval of pure phase wavefront is achieved. Experimental results show that this method can better recover the amplitude and phase of the original complex-wave even when there is a frequency spectrum mixture in the hologram.

Raman spectroscopy of Chinese human skin in vivo

A novel and compact near-infrared （NIR） Raman system is developed using 785-nm diode laser, volumephase technology （VPT） holographic system, and NIR intensified charge-coupled device （CCD）. Signal-tonoise ratio （SNR） and resolution are improved compared with ordinary acquisition method by a specially designed optical fiber detector and the spectrograph image aberration correction with a parabolic-line fiber array. In 1-5 s, Raman spectra of different parts of Chinese human skin are acquired. Autofluorescence is subtracted from the raw spectrum by polynomial fitting and skin Raman spectrum is then smoothed for further analysis.

Research on high-speed TDICCD remote sensing camera video signal processing

Video signal processing needs high signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） in high-speed time delay and integration charge coupled devices （TDICCD）. To solve this problem, this article first analyzes the characteristics of the output video signal of a new type of high-speed TDICCD and its operation principle. Then it studies the correlation double sample （CDS） method of reducing noise. Following that a synthesized processing method is proposed, including correlation double sample, programmable gain control, line calibration and digital offset control, etc. Among the methods, XRD98L59 is a video signal processor for the charge coupled device （CCD）. Application of this processor to one kind of high-speed TDICCD with eight output ports achieves perfect video images. The experiment result indicates that the SNR of the images reaches about 50 dB. The video signal processing for high-speed multi-channel TDICCD is implemented, which meets the required project index.

Design of object surveillance system based on enhanced fish-eye lens

A new method is proposed for the object surveillance system based on the enhanced fish-eye lens and the high speed digital signal processor （DSP）. The improved fish-eye lens images an ellipse picture on the charge-coupled device （CCD） surface, which increases both the utilization rate of the 4：3 rectangular CCD and the imaging resolution, and remains the view angle of 183° The algorithm of auto-adapted renewal background subtraction （ARBS） is also explored to extract the object from the monitoring image. The experimental result shows that the ARBS algorithm has high anti-jamming ability and high resolution, leading to excellent object detecting ability from the enhanced elliptical fish-eye image under varies environments. This system has potential applications in different security monitoring fields due to its wide monitoring space, simple structure, working stability, and reliability.