Resolution cascade: simulated MTF of a coherent fiber bundle-based microendoscopic system.

Today, CCD and CMOS image sensors have found many applications in general public domains. However their use for scientific and space applications requires high electro optical performances and strong abilities to predict them prior to the image sensors design and conception. Sensitivity and image quality are two important electro-optical characteristics for an image sensor. The Quantum Efficiency (QE) and the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) are respectively the common metrics used to quantify them. Because of an important number of parameters influencing the MTF and the QE, their analytical calculation is not an easy task. This paper describes an analytical model of MTF and QE of CCD and CMOS image sensors. The model has been developed in order to take into account a maximum number of parameters: pixel size, photosensitive area size and shape, EPI-layer and substrate doping concentration, junction depth. The effect of top layer oxide stacks on the resulting optical transmission coefficient and so on QE can also be taken into account. The study is established in the case of CMOS photodiode pixels and buried channel CCD pixels. The MTF and QE modeling results are compared with experimental results. MTF and QE measurements are realized on different pixels types having different photosensitive area shapes and using different technologies. A part of these measurements are performed on a frontside-illuminated CMOS sensor and on a thinned backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor, both of them are manufactured using CMOS technology dedicated to image sensors. The other part of MTF and QE measurements are performed on thinned backside-illuminated N-buried channel CCD sensor. Finally the MTF and QE models are used to make performance predictions, and the effects of various parameters on the MTF and the QE are discussed.

Unified MTF for scintillator-coupled CMOS sensor

The pixel array of BSI CMOS image sensor is a kind of photoelectric device to obtain 2D image information. The image quality was evaluated by the modulation transfer function (MTF) of BSI CMOS image sensor pixel at Nyquist frequency. With the decreasing pixel size of BSI CMOS image sensor and the increasing spatial resolution, it is more and more difficult to improve the MTF at Nyquist frequency. According to the theoretical analysis, MTF is composed of aperture MTF and diffusion MTF, the comprehensive MTF function is usually obtained by the multiplication relationship between the two MTFs in the frequency domain. Aperture MTF and diffusion MTF have different influence factors and calculation functions, but they are related to the size of the opening. The opening here represents the sensitivity aperture and photo-sense region respectively. The smaller the opening of the detector pixel, the larger MTF will be. In this paper, the theoretical mechanism of MTF function is analyzed in detail, and the calculation results of MTF of BSI CMOS image sensor pixel under 8 typical optical wavelengths in 300nm-1000nm spectral band are listed.

Purpose: To demonstrate a method of measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) of digital imaging systems using the common star pattern test tool. The goal of this research is to develop a technique that brings precise and objective evaluation of spatial resolution to routine quality control in radiography and fluoroscopy. Method and Materials: Images of a 2‐degree star pattern were obtained on a variety of digital radiographic imaging systems, spanning a range of spatial resolution performance levels. One‐dimensional profiles from concentric circles around the center of the star were obtained from each star image. The circular profiles were unwrapped to produce a series of square waves, which were analyzed to produce the square wave response function (SWRF). Droege's method was used to compute the MTF from the SWRF. The MTF determined using the star pattern method was compared to published and quality control measurements of the MTF for several digital mammography and digital radiography systems. In implementing this method, important parameters that must be considered include the radial and angular sampling rates, the method for determining the zero‐frequency normalization and correction for beam nonuniformity. Results: The MTF computed from star pattern profile measurements closely matched the MTF obtained using other methods over the range of spatial frequencies between the Nyquist frequency and 1/3 of the Nyquist frequency. The star pattern MTF, which is a system measurement and includes the effects of detector and geometric unsharpness, was within 6–8% of reference values obtained from the scientific literature for two models digital mammography equipment. Conclusion: Images of a 2‐degree star pattern can produce estimates of the two‐dimensional system MTF. This method may offer a convenient means of assessing the spatial resolution of digital imaging systems for acceptance testing and quality control.

The imaging payload of an EO satellite is required to obtain images of the Earth's surface underneath, as per required in terms of spatial and spectral resolution. In general terms, the essential performance criterion for an imaging system Is Its MTF (Modulation Transfer Function). The MTF can be calculated for certain components of IP like for Optics, Imaging sensor and IP electronics. Whereas there are other components as well, which do contribute towards MTF. These are relative motion of the object and IP, as well as different illumination angles of the illuminator (Sun) on the surface of earth, thus contributing the blur and blooming effect in IP, which again potentially affects the measurement of MIT for the IP. In order to simulate this environment on ground to calibrate the MTF of the IP or any camera that is prepared for the use on sin EO satellite, a flexible experimental setup has been devised and the results thereof have been presented, in this paper.

The intent of this paper is to develop an understanding of the design considerations for a solid-state image sensing system. The method used is to individually discuss the operational and design factors for the following system components and considerations: solid-state image sensors, illumination sources, common types of lenses, lens and image sensor selection, and the techniques involved in system evaluation. The sensor will be discussed in terms of element resolution and configuration, spectral response, theory of operation, and video processing requirements. Common types of illumination sources and lenses will be outlined as they apply to solid-state imaging systems. The section on lens and image sen-sor selection has an example of how to proceed from an application concept to the selection of an array and lens. System performance is evaluated in terms of the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). The MTF of each component part (i.e., lens, sensor, and video processing circuit) is considered from the standpoint of how each individual MTF combines to affect the MTF of the entire system. Experimental results are used to reinforce calculated MTF relationships. Careful consideration must be given to how each component part affects the overall performance of a solid-state image sensing system. The Modulation Transfer Function is most commonly used to characterize the performance of an optical or electro-optical system.

The method employed by Streifer and Stark to calculate toner pile height due to the development to field neutralization of weak sinusoidal image patterns superposed on a solid area is extended to cover realistic development systems by applying more general boundary conditions on the free surface of the toner layer. We found that as long as the altered boundary conditions do not vary spatially, the effects of the new boundary conditions are propagated via a single parameter: the toner pile height corresponding to a solid area part of the image. This finding allows us to extend the realm of the analysis to the case of partial neutralization, provided some conditions are met by the development process. A theoretical development modulation transfer function (MTF) is derived from the toner pile height calculations. The variation of this MTF as a function of the solid area toner pile height is exploited to obtain the theoretical MTFs for the development of multiple layers in color xerography.

The edge method for measuring the modulation transfer function (MTF) has recently gained popularity due to its simplicity and appropriateness particularly for digital imaging systems. Often edge test devices made of rather thin metal sheets are used, which are semitransparent to x rays and may generate scattered radiation. The effect of this scattered radiation on the determined MTF was investigated both theoretically (assuming an ideal detector) and experimentally using a CsI-based digital detector. It was found that the MTF increases due to the scattered radiation for all spatial frequencies larger than 0 mm(-1). The theoretical model developed in this study predicts that the maximum error compared to the true detector MTF is given by S/A, where A is the attenuated fraction and S is the scattered fraction reaching the detector, relative to the incident radiation. Theoretical and experimental results are in good agreement for radiation qualities corresponding to general radiography (RQA3, RQA5, and RQA7), whereas for chest beam quality (RQA9) the experimentally observed MTF error is larger than predicted by the simple model, possibly because the energy response of the CsI-based detector differs from that of an ideal one. The theoretical MTF error reaches a value of 18% for a 0.25 mm thick lead edge of RQA9. Since the MTF enters squared into the determination of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE), an error of at least 36% in DQE may result when using this edge test device. In conclusion, the use of fully absorbing edge material is advised for MTF determination with the edge method.

CMOS imagers based on Active Pixel Sensors (APS) are very important among others because of their possible technical innovations leading to ultra-low power image acquisition or efficient on-chip image preprocessing. Implementation of the image processing tasks (focal plane preprocessing and subsequent image processing) can be done effectively only with the consideration of known transfer characteristics of the imager itself. Geometrical Point Spread Function (PSF) depends on the certain geometric shape of active area in the particular design of CMOS APS. In this paper, the concept of Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) analysis is generalized to be applicable to the sampled structures of CMOS APS. Recalling theoretical results, we have analytically derived the detector MTF in the closed form for some special active area shapes. The paper also deals with the method based on pseudorandom image pattern with uniform power spectral density (PSD). This method allows to evaluate (in contrast to other methods) spatially invariant MTF including sampling MTF. It is generally known that a signal acquired by image sensor contains different types of noises. The superposition of these noises produces noise with a Gaussian distribution. The denoising method based on Bayesian estimator for implementation into the smart imager is presented.

There has been very little work done in the past to extend the wavelength range of fiber image bundles to the IR range. This is due, in part, to the lack of IR transmissive fibers with optical and mechanical properties analogous to the oxide glass fibers currently employed in the visible fiber bundles. Our research is aimed at developing high-resolution hollow-core coherent IR fiber bundles for transendoscopic infrared imaging. We employ the hollow glass waveguide (HGW) technology that was used successfully to make single-HGWs with Ag/AgI thin film coatings to form coherent bundles for IR imaging. We examine the possibility of developing endoscopic systems to capture thermal images using hollow waveguide fiber bundles adjusted to the 8-10?mum spectral range and investigate the applicability of such systems. We carried out a series of measurements in order to characterize the optical properties of the fiber bundles. These included the attenuation, resolution, and temperature response. We developed theoretical models and simulation tools that calculate the light propagation through HGW bundles, and which can be used to calculate the optical properties of the fiber bundles. Finally, the HGW fiber bundles were used to transmit thermal images of various heated objects; the results were compared with simulation results. The experimental results are encouraging, show an improvement in the resolution and thermal response of the HGW fiber bundles, and are consistent with the theoretical results. Nonetheless, additional improvements in the attenuation of the bundles are required in order to be able to use this technology for medical applications.

In the process of designing a machine vision system, a critical step is selecting an image sensor and optics that satisfy required parameters of resolution. The resolution of the image sensor is determined by modulation transfer function (MTF). In this paper a method for the theoretical estimation of MTF based on topologic parameters of the image sensor and parameters of lenses is proposed. The purpose of this work is development a method that will be handy instrument for the resolution calculation of the imaging system on the initial stage of the designing process of the machine vision. In this paper dependency of MTF for different parameters of image sensor and lenses were presented. This method can be used for calculation resolution of imaging system in object’s plain domain. References 7, figures 3, tables1.

Classical models used to calculate the Modulation Transfer function (MTF) of a solid-state image sensor generally use a sinusoidal type of illumination. The approach, described in this paper, consists in considering a point-source illumination to built a theoretical three-dimensional model of the diffusion and the collection of photo-carriers created within the image sensor array. Fourier transform formalism is used for this type of illumination. Solutions allow to evaluate the spatial repartition of the charge density collected in the space charge region, i.e. to get the Pixel Response Function (PRF) formulation. PRF enables to calculate analytically both MTF and crosstalk at every needed wavelengths. The model can take into account a uniformly doped substrate and an epitaxial layer grown on a highly doped substrate. The built-in electric field induced by the EPI/Substrate doping gradient is also taken into account. For these configurations, MTF, charge collection efficiency and crosstalk proportion are calculated. The study is established in the case of photodiode pixel but it can be easily extended to pinned photodiode pixels and photogate pixels.

The Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) is a fundamental imaging system design specification and system quality metric often used in remote sensing. The MTF describes the attenuation of sinusoidal waveforms as a function of spatial frequency. Practically, MTF is a metric quantifying the sharpness of the reconstructed image. The Knife-Edge method is becoming widely applied for its advantage of simplified target and accurate computer calculation. Noise in CCD image system is inevitable, thus the SNR becomes a factor influencing the MTF measurement. In this paper, we build relationships between SNR, luminance and MTF. In conclusion, SNR is related with luminance levels linearly. SNR rises with increasing luminance. The higher SNR, the more curves conform to the theoretical MTF.

Photon counting detectors (PCDs) are an emerging technology with applications in spectral and low-dose radiographic and tomographic imaging. This paper develops an analytical model of PCD imaging performance, including the system gain, modulation transfer function (MTF), noise-power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE). A cascaded systems analysis model describing the propagation of quanta through the imaging chain was developed. The model was validated in comparison to the physical performance of a silicon-strip PCD implemented on an experimental imaging bench. The signal response, MTF, and NPS were measured and compared to theory as a function of exposure conditions (70 kVp, 1-7 mA), detector threshold, and readout mode (i.e., the option for coincidence detection). The model sheds new light on the dependence of spatial resolution, charge sharing, and additive noise effects on threshold selection and was used to investigate the factors governing PCD performance, including the fundamental advantages and limitations of PCDs in comparison to energy-integrating detectors (EIDs) in the linear regime for which pulse pileup can be ignored. The detector exhibited highly linear mean signal response across the system operating range and agreed well with theoretical prediction, as did the system MTF and NPS. The DQE analyzed as a function of kilovolt (peak), exposure, detector threshold, and readout mode revealed important considerations for system optimization. The model also demonstrated the important implications of false counts from both additive electronic noise and charge sharing and highlighted the system design and operational parameters that most affect detector performance in the presence of such factors: for example, increasing the detector threshold from 0 to 100 (arbitrary units of pulse height threshold roughly equivalent to 0.5 and 6 keV energy threshold, respectively), increased the f50 (spatial-frequency at which the MTF falls to a value of 0.50) by ∼30% with corresponding improvement in DQE. The range in exposure and additive noise for which PCDs yield intrinsically higher DQE was quantified, showing performance advantages under conditions of very low-dose, high additive noise, and high fidelity rejection of coincident photons. The model for PCD signal and noise performance agreed with measurements of detector signal, MTF, and NPS and provided a useful basis for understanding complex dependencies in PCD imaging performance and the potential advantages (and disadvantages) in comparison to EIDs as well as an important guide to task-based optimization in developing new PCD imaging systems.

In this paper, the meaning and appropriateness of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor (CIS) modulation transfer function (MTF) is reconsidered. Two-dimensional (2-D) submicrometer spot scanning results are presented for industrial CIS, 2-D-MTF, characterizing CIS performance and resolution abilities is extracted and compared with the ideal one-dimensional (1-D) MTF profile estimation calculated for all spatial frequencies. "Inter" and "intra" pixel MTFs emphasizing pixel structure dependencies are defined. The domain of applicability of traditional 1-D sensor characterization methods is shown to be ambiguous and insufficient for modern anisotropic CIS designs, resembling the inability to account for the sensor internal structural effects. Furthermore, it was shown that 2-D characterization provides reliable information and enables better understanding and the most accurate description of device performance. In addition, the advantages (over the commonly referred 1-D-MTF) and necessities of 2-D-MTF are verified experimentally and clearly demonstrated in this paper