Low cost single chip CMOS camera for automotive application

Abstract

Non-integrating CMOS image sensors have a higher dynamic range than alternative designs, making them more suitable for automotive applications. Unfortunately, gain and offset non-uniformities in the photosensors and active elements on the focal plane generate fixed-pattern noise in the received image, limiting the resolution and sensitivity of the vision system. We present a solution based on an adaptive algorithm for online correction of spatial non-uniformity. Furthermore, we demonstrate on-chip intensity histogram equalization by using the same adaptive algorithm and we achieve high bandwidth without compromising the gain output by using a native transistor. In order to prove our concept, a VLSI prototype has been realized using 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology.