Time multiplexing super resolving technique for imaging from a moving platform

Asaf Ilovitsh, Shlomo Zach, Zeev Zalevsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We propose a method for increasing the resolution of an object and overcoming the diffraction limit of an optical system installed on top of a moving imaging system, such as an airborne platform or satellite. The resolution improvement is obtained in a two-step process. First, three low resolution differently defocused images are being captured and the optical phase is retrieved using an improved iterative Gerchberg-Saxton based algorithm. The phase retrieval allows to numerically back propagate the field to the aperture plane. Second, the imaging system is shifted and the first step is repeated. The obtained optical fields at the aperture plane are combined and a synthetically increased lens aperture is generated along the direction of movement, yielding higher imaging resolution. The method resembles a well-known approach from the microwave regime called the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) in which the antenna size is synthetically increased along the platform propagation direction. The proposed method is demonstrated through laboratory experiment.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere51148
JournalJournal of Visualized Experiments
Issue number84
DOIs
StatePublished - 12 Feb 2014

Keywords

  • Digital image processing
  • Fourier optics
  • Issue 84
  • Optics
  • Physics
  • Remote sensing and sensors
  • Resolution
  • Superresolution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Time multiplexing super resolving technique for imaging from a moving platform'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this