Flexible readout image capture with a four-channel CFA

Abstract

This paper discusses use of a single image sensor with a fourchannel color filter array (CFA) and flexible readout capabilities for a compact digital camera. It considers camera system technology and design tradeoffs, followed by a discussion of an example four-channel sensor. Advantages of the sensor include better sensitivity than a similar sensor with a threechannel CFA and more flexible exposure and readout control. The example sensor enables a new approach for multiframe image capture, termed multicomponent image capture.