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While sensing in high temporal resolution is necessary for a wide range of applications, it is still limited nowadays due to the camera sampling rate. In this work, we try to increase the temporal resolution beyond the Nyquist frequency, which is limited by the sensor's sampling rate. This work establishes a novel approach to temporal super-resolution that uses the object-reflecting properties from an active illumination source to go beyond this limit. Following theoretical derivation and the development of signal-processing-based algorithms, we demonstrate how to increase the detected temporal spectral range by a factor of six and possibly even more. Our method is supported by simulations and experiments, and we demonstrate (via application) how we use our method to dramatically improve the accuracy of object motion estimation. We share our simulation code on GitHub.

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This work demonstrates a novel, state-of-the-art method to reconstruct colored images via the dynamic vision sensor (DVS). The DVS is an image sensor that indicates only a binary change in brightness, with no information about the captured wavelength (color) or intensity level. However, the reconstruction of the scene's color could be essential for many tasks in computer vision and DVS. We present a novel method for reconstructing a full spatial resolution, colored image utilizing the DVS and an active colored light source. We analyze the DVS response and present two reconstruction algorithms: linear-based and convolutional-neural-network-based. Our two presented methods reconstruct the colored image with high quality, and they do not suffer from any spatial resolution degradation as other methods. In addition, we demonstrate the robustness of our algorithm to changes in environmental conditions, such as illumination and distance. Finally, compared with previous works, we show how we reach the state-of-the-art results. We share our code on GitHub.

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This work introduces hardware metrics to evaluate imaging sensor (camera) ability to cope with temporal change (motion). Shifting from images towards moving elements demands better tools for evaluation than just refresh rate, and this work is here to close that gap. We focus on the sampling frequency, signal to noise ratio, rolling shutter, and modulation transfer function as a set of parameters to define four fundamental conditions to evaluate and compare the quality of motion sensing. We further examine our theory on existing hardware used in modern equipment and report our findings.

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This paper introduces the pentagraph image fusion (PIF) scheme for motion-related blur prevention in images. The PIF algorithm processes five monochromatic images into a single, low-noise, no-blur color image. The images are acquired using a new photography scheme, sequential filter photography (SFP), where instead of using a stationary Bayer pattern color filter array in front of the image sensor, a tunable color filter array is used. Using this approach, several monochromatic images are captured one by one and later fused into one color image. The SFP introduces various advantages such as higher resolution, better SNR, and the ability to control both exposure time and color filter separately for each image. The PIF algorithm harnesses all the advantages of SFP for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, in the field of blur-free image acquisition. Five images are taken with controllable exposure time and color filter, three images for the color bands, and two high-signal panchromatic images. These images are fused together to be a single, low-noise, no-blur color image. The algorithm presents a generic approach of dealing with both local and global motion blur and does not require any user intervention.

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In previous works we have shown that parallel optics (PO) architecture can be used to improve the system matrix condition, which results in improving its immunity to additive noise in the image restoration process. PO is composed of a "main" system and an "auxiliary" system. Previously, we suggested the "trajectories" method to realize PO. In that method, a required auxiliary system is composed from auxiliary optics with a pixel confined response, followed by signal processing. In this paper, we emphasize the important secondary effects of the trajectories method. We show that in such a system, where the postprocessing comes after the detection, the postprocessing acts as a noise filter, hence allowing us to work with noisy data in the auxiliary channel. Roughly speaking, the SNR of an imaging system depends on the numerical aperture (NA). It follows that the main system, which typically has a higher NA, also has a higher SNR. Hence in the PO system, the ratio between the NA values of the main and auxiliary systems is expected to dictate the gap between their SNR values. In this paper, we show that when the system is implemented by the trajectories method, this expectation is too conservative. It is shown that due to the noise filtering, the auxiliary system can be noisier than expected. This claim is proved analytically and verified and exemplified by using experimental measurements.

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We present an alternative method of color imaging. It utilizes a single standard Si-based image sensor and a clear aperture, tunable, color filter. Within this scheme, three monochromatic frames are taken; each is acquired with a single color and with a fraction of the total acquisition duration. This scheme offers several advantages compared to standard Bayer-demosaicing schemes. Among them - significantly higher resolution, flexibility in exposure durations, improved noise performance and in sum - better image quality. This paper presents both color filter design and the adjusted image pipeline. Lastly, the proposed imaging scheme and the Bayer scheme are compared in terms of MSE.

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The TOMBO system (thin observation module by bound optics) is a multichannel subimaging system over a single electronic imaging device. Each subsystem provides a low-resolution (LR) image from a unique lateral point of view. By estimating the image's lateral position, a high-resolution (HR) image is restored from the series of the LR images. This paper proposes an multistage algorithm comprised of successive stages, improving difficulties in previous suggested schemes. First, the registration algorithm estimates the subchannel shift parameters and eliminates bias. Second, we introduce a fast image fusion, overcoming visual blockiness artifacts that characterized previously suggested schemes. The algorithm fuses the set of sampled subchannel images into a single image, providing the reconstruction initial estimate. Third, an edge-sensitive quadratic upper bound term to the total variation regulator is suggested. The complete algorithm allows the reconstruction of a clean, HR image, in linear computation time, by the use of the linear conjugate gradient optimization. Finally, we present a simulated comparison between the proposed method and a previously suggested image restoration method. The results show that the proposed method yields better reconstruction fidelity while eliminating spatial speckle artifacts associated with the previously suggested method.

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This paper deals with the fast-developing area of computational photography where a combination of imaging techniques and efficient image processing algorithms is done to generate a super imaging system. In recent years, three main implementations of the computational photography philosophy were intensively investigated and demonstrated: (i) multiple aperture, (ii) light field photography, and (iii) multiexposure. The paper provides a mini-review of these three approaches and shows ways to improve and combine them toward a super imaging system. As a conclusion, the paper provides preliminary guidelines for fusing the three approaches into one integrated super imaging system with optimized performance.

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We present preliminary experimental results for implementing the "blurred trajectories" method on three parallel optics (PO) systems. The "main" system and "auxiliary" optics were simple laboratory graded lenses attached to an iris diaphragm. When applying the blurred trajectories method we first show an improvement in the matrix condition, as the matrix condition number decreased in a range of factors of 3 to 418 relative to the main system. Following that, image restoration by weak regularization was performed so that the system matrix condition dominated the restoration process. It was shown that the restoration results of the PO are better than those of the main system and the auxiliary optics separately. In addition, the quality of the restoration follows the system's matrix condition. The improvement in the matrix condition achieved by the PO system improved the immunity to detection noise. Finally, a comparison to Wiener filtering restoration shows that it is also generally inferior to the proposed method.

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In our previous work we showed the ability to improve the optical system's matrix condition by optical design, thereby improving its robustness to noise. It was shown that by using singular value decomposition, a target point-spread function (PSF) matrix can be defined for an auxiliary optical system, which works parallel to the original system to achieve such an improvement. In this paper, after briefly introducing the all optics implementation of the auxiliary system, we show a method to decompose the target PSF matrix. This is done through a series of shifted responses of auxiliary optics (named trajectories), where a complicated hardware filter is replaced by postprocessing. This process manipulates the pixel confined PSF response of simple auxiliary optics, which in turn creates an auxiliary system with the required PSF matrix. This method is simulated on two space variant systems and reduces their system condition number from 18,598 to 197 and from 87,640 to 5.75, respectively. We perform a study of the latter result and show significant improvement in image restoration performance, in comparison to a system without auxiliary optics and to other previously suggested hybrid solutions. Image restoration results show that in a range of low signal-to-noise ratio values, the trajectories method gives a significant advantage over alternative approaches. A third space invariant study case is explored only briefly, and we present a significant improvement in the matrix condition number from 1.9160e+013 to 34,526.

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The problem of image restoration of space variant blur is common and important. One of the most useful descriptions of this problem is in its algebraic form I=H*O, where O is the object represented as a column vector, I is the blur image represented as a column vector and H is the PSF matrix that represents the optical system. When inverting the problem to restore the geometric object from the blurred image and the known system matrix, restoration is limited in speed and quality by the system condition. Current optical design methods focus on image quality, therefore if additional image processing is needed the matrix condition is taken "as is". In this paper we would like to present a new optical approach which aims to improve the system condition by proper optical design. In this new method we use Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) to define the weak parts of the matrix condition. We design a second optical system based on those weak SVD parts and then we add the second system parallel to the first one. The original and second systems together work as an improved parallel optics system. Following that, we present a method for designing such a "parallel filter" for systems with a spread SVD pattern. Finally we present a study case in which by using our new method we improve a space variant image system with an initial condition number of 8.76e4, down to a condition number of 2.29e3. We use matrix inversion to simulate image restoration. Results show that the new parallel optics immunity to Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) is much better then that of the original simple lens. Comparing the original and the parallel optics systems, the parallel optics system crosses the MSEIF=0 [db] limit in SNR value which is more than 50db lower then the SNR value in the case of the original simple lens. The new parallel optics system performance is also compared to another method based on the MTF approach.

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We experimentally investigate the effects of slow light modes within a one dimensional photonic crystal resonator. We show that the slow light mode leads to significant increase in the quality factor of the resonator. We provide a theoretical analysis explaining our experimental results. We also include the effect of disorder to simulate the fabrication imperfection. Further results regarding the properties of the one dimensional photonic crystal are discussed.

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We propose and analyze a novel design of a hybrid micro-ring resonator and photonic crystal device. The proposed device is based on a micro-ring resonator with the addition of a series of periodic defects that are introduced to the microring. When the wavelength of operation approaches the band-gap of the periodic structure, the modal dispersion is significantly increased. The huge dispersion leads to narrowing of the spectral linewidth of the resonator. We predict an order of magnitude linewidth narrowing for a microring radius of the order of 10mum. The proposed hybrid device is analyzed theoretically and numerically using finite-elements calculations and finite-difference-time-domain calculations. We also present as well as the design and analysis of add-drop and notch filters based on the highly dispersive ring resonator.

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The allocation of CPU time and memory resources is a familiar problem in organizations with a large number of users and a single mainframe. Usually the amount of resources allocated to a single user is based on the user's own statistics not on the statistics of the entire organization, therefore patterns are not well identified and the allocation system is prodigal. A fuzzy-logic-based algorithm to optimize the CPU and memory distribution among users based on their history is suggested. The algorithm works on heavy and light users separately since they present different patterns to be observed. The result is a set of rules generated by the fuzzy-logic inference engine that will allow the system to use its computing ability in an optimized manner. Test results on data taken from the Faculty of Engineering of Tel Aviv University demonstrate the capabilities of the new algorithm.

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In this paper we present passive photonic device performing periodic and ultra fast spectral analysis of RF signals modulated on optical carrier. The spectral scanning is demonstrated in two approaches. First by passing the light through a couple of special bulk periscopes that split the beam into a set of parallel channels or combine a set of channels into one beam. One surface of each periscope is coated with high reflectivity coating such that the set of parallel beams travel several times through the structure due to their partial back reflection in each passage through the periscope. In each passage in the system the channel experience different delay in comparison with the original signal. This relative delay is accumulative and it is generated by placing glass bars with different length for each one of the channels. This structure realizes Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter that performs the spectral scanning. The second approach involves similar configuration but it is realized with fibers and Y couplers rather than bulk optics. In this case the filter that performs the spectral scanning is an Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter having much sharper spectral sampling capability.

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We present a method and devices for highly resolved carrier and information extraction of optically modulated radar signals. The extraction is done by passing the optical beam through a monitoring path that constitutes a finite impulse response filter. Replications of the monitoring signal realize the required spectral scan of the filter. Despite the fact that the filter configuration is fixed, each replication experiences different spectral filtering. The radar carrier is detected by observing the energy fluctuations in a low-rate output detector. The RF information is extracted by positioning a low-rate tunable filter at the detected carrier frequency.

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In many highly resolved optical systems the resolution is limited not by the optics but by the CCD's nonzero pixel size. As a result, overall resolution is decreased. Here we propose a novel approach to enhancing resolution beyond the limit set by the CCD's pixels. This method does not involve additional mechanical elements, such as those used for microscans. In this scheme neither the CCD nor additional elements are moved. The geometric superresolving procedure is based on code-division multiplexing, with all its inherent benefits, such as relative noise immunity to single-tone interference. A setup is proposed for coherent and incoherent illumination, with slight modifications for the latter. A theoretical analysis of the setup is presented and compared with empirical results. This scheme is shown to enhance one-dimensional image resolution with the use of only a simple mask that doubles image resolution. This method can easily be expanded to two-dimensional images and to resolution-enhancement factors greater than 2.

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We propose and analyze a new type of four ports structure for ultra-compact waveguide splitting. This structure differs from most existing ultra-compact waveguide splitters by introducing complete symmetry between the input and output ports. Maximum overall throughput predicted is ~81% where reflection and crosstalk are <1%. A 2D photonic-crystal implementation concept. Is presented as well. Concept of operation and simulation results are provided. The trade-off between performances and functionality is discussed.

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Signal processing in general, and optical signal processing in particular, make extensive use of linear transformations. The temporal nature of many optical signals (e.g., in optical communication systems) makes the realization of temporal transformations a desired extension. We present a system making possible the realization of arbitrary temporal linear transformation. The system supports real-time changes of the realized transformation. The mathematical analysis is derived, and computer simulations are presented.

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We present a summary of measured characteristics of lanthanum-doped lead zirconium titanate (PLZT) compound in its mechanical housing. It is expected that the PLZT device will be used as the main component in an ultrafast electro-optic switch. We have performed several experiments to measure and calculate the following characteristics: optical power transmission, thermodynamic effects, switching speed, and dc drift phenomenon.