Abstract
Conventionally, high dynamic-range (HDR) imaging is based on taking two or more pictures of the same scene with different exposure. However, due to a high-speed relative motion between the camera and the scene, it is hard for this technique to be applied to push-broom remote sensing cameras. For the sake of HDR imaging in push-broom remote sensing applications, the present paper proposes an innovative method which can generate HDR images without redundant image sensors or optical components. Specifically, this paper adopts an area array CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) with the digital domain time-delay-integration (DTDI) technology for imaging, instead of adopting more than one row of image sensors, thereby taking more than one picture with different exposure. And then a new HDR image by fusing two original images with a simple algorithm can be achieved. By conducting the experiment, the dynamic range (DR) of the image increases by 26.02 dB. The proposed method is proved to be effective and has potential in other imaging applications where there is a relative motion between the cameras and scenes.
Highlights
Remote sensing cameras, especially those on the satellite working as payloads for observing the earth, are widely used in the field of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, forestry, marine and so on
Dynamic range (DR) is an important index to measure the quality of remote sensing images and high dynamic-range (HDR) imaging technology is in urgent demand: the dynamic range (DR) for a single scene in these applications can sometimes exceed 106 (120 dB) and even reach up to 108 (160 dB) because there are backlit objects and objects under strong sunlight [2]
Considering the limited data handling capability of a satellite and the limited data transmission capacity, this paper adopts the image fusion method which is simple and practical. If this method is applied in other fields, such as the industry field, the medical field and aerial remote sensing field, the effect of HDR images can be better with fine algorithms
Summary
Especially those on the satellite working as payloads for observing the earth, are widely used in the field of natural resources, tourism, agriculture, forestry, marine and so on. To improve the DR of a push-broom remote sensing camera, Xue et al proposed a scheme of using two-row TDI CCD sensors with different integral stages to take pictures of the same scene and fused the original images into a new HDR image by a simple algorithm [16]. This method requires a lot of redundant optical equipment and complex circuit which brings quite high power-consumption and huge cost.
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