We propose a microoptical approach to ultra-compact optics for real-time vision systems that are inspired by the compound eyes of insects. The demonstrated module achieves 720p resolution with a total track length of 2.0 mm which is about 1.5 times shorter than comparable conventional miniaturized optics. The partial images that are separately recorded in multiple optical channels are stitched together to form a final image of the whole FOV by means of image processing. The microlens arrays are realized by microoptical fabrication techniques on wafer-level which are suitable for a potential application in high volume e.g. for consumer electronic products.

Date Published: 12 September 2014
PDF: 8 pages
Proc. SPIE 9193, Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XVII, 91930W (12 September 2014); doi: 10.1117/12.2061006

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9193:
Novel Optical Systems Design and Optimization XVII
G. Groot Gregory; Arthur J. Davis, Editor(s)