Publication

Bits from Photons: Oversampled Image Acquisition Using Binary Poisson Statistics

Martin Vetterli, Luciano Sbaiz, Yue Lu, Feng Yang
2011
Report or working paper
Abstract

We study a new image sensor that is reminiscent of traditional photographic film. Each pixel in the sensor has a binary response, giving only a one-bit quantized measurement of the local light intensity. To analyze its performance, we formulate the oversampled binary sensing scheme as a parameter estimation problem based on quantized Poisson statistics. We show that, with a single-photon quantization threshold and large oversampling factors, the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the estimation variance approaches that of an ideal unquantized sensor, that is, as if there were no quantization in the sensor measurements. Furthermore, the CRLB is shown to be asymptotically achievable by the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE). By showing that the log-likelihood function of our problem is concave, we guarantee the global optimality of iterative algorithms in finding the MLE. Numerical results on both synthetic data and images taken by a prototype sensor verify our theoretical analysis and demonstrate the effectiveness of our image reconstruction algorithm. They also suggest the potential application of the oversampled binary sensing scheme in high dynamic range photography.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Related concepts (35)
Maximum likelihood estimation
In statistics, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is a method of estimating the parameters of an assumed probability distribution, given some observed data. This is achieved by maximizing a likelihood function so that, under the assumed statistical model, the observed data is most probable. The point in the parameter space that maximizes the likelihood function is called the maximum likelihood estimate. The logic of maximum likelihood is both intuitive and flexible, and as such the method has become a dominant means of statistical inference.
Estimation theory
Estimation theory is a branch of statistics that deals with estimating the values of parameters based on measured empirical data that has a random component. The parameters describe an underlying physical setting in such a way that their value affects the distribution of the measured data. An estimator attempts to approximate the unknown parameters using the measurements.
Active-pixel sensor
An active-pixel sensor (APS) is an , which was invented by Peter J.W. Noble in 1968, where each pixel sensor unit cell has a photodetector (typically a pinned photodiode) and one or more active transistors. In a metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) active-pixel sensor, MOS field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are used as amplifiers. There are different types of APS, including the early NMOS APS and the now much more common complementary MOS (CMOS) APS, also known as the CMOS sensor.
Show more
Related publications (88)

OASIS: An integrated optimisation framework for activity scheduling

Janody Pougala

Activity-based models offer the potential for a far deeper understanding of daily mobility behaviour than trip-based models. Based on the fundamental assumption that travel demand is derived from the need to do activities, they are flexible tools that aim ...
EPFL2024

Unbiased likelihood-based estimation of Wright-Fisher diffusion processes

In this paper we propose an unbiased Monte Carlo maximum likelihood estimator for discretely observed Wright-Fisher diffusions. Our approach is based on exact simulation techniques that are of special interest for diffusion processes defined on a bounded d ...
MCQMC2023

OASIS: Optimisation-based Activity Scheduling with Integrated Simultaneous choice dimensions

Michel Bierlaire, Timothy Michael Hillel, Janody Pougala

Activity-based models offer the potential of a far deeper understanding of daily mobility behaviour than trip-based models. However, activity-based models used both in research and practice have often relied on applying sequential choice models between sub ...
2023
Show more
Related MOOCs (25)
Digital Signal Processing I
Basic signal processing concepts, Fourier analysis and filters. This module can be used as a starting point or a basic refresher in elementary DSP
Digital Signal Processing II
Adaptive signal processing, A/D and D/A. This module provides the basic tools for adaptive filtering and a solid mathematical framework for sampling and quantization
Digital Signal Processing III
Advanced topics: this module covers real-time audio processing (with examples on a hardware board), image processing and communication system design.
Show more

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.