Adaptive Sensitivity(TM), developed by I Sight Inc., overcomes the chronic problem of limited dynamic range in existing video cameras. In I Sight's cameras, a dynamic range in excess of 50,000:1 is accomplished by sequentially acquiring, with a single CCD, two images spanning two separate ranges of light intensity. The two images are combined by a neighborhood processing algorithm into a single image which spans the wide intrascene dynamic range. The resulting full motion video image is then compressed to a dynamic range of 1:256, displayable on standard CRTs. In this project, we will develop a camera with a dynamic range greater than 50,000:1 and video rate of 60 FPS, by simultaneously acquiring two frames with two CCDs, which span the required intrascene dynamic range. These CCDs will be "boresighted", i.e., superimposed on the optical axis through a beamsplitter. Current system electronics will be modified to manage the two CCDs. Phase I will result in an optical bench prototype, operating at standard video rates (30 FPS). Phase II will result in a packaged system functioning at higher rates (60 FPS). The proposed development will combine the advantages offered by Adaptive Sensitivity(TM) with the requirements of a high frame rate system.
