Spectral sensitivity optimization of color image sensors considering photon shot noise

Hideyasu Kuniba; Roy S. Berns

doi:10.1117/1.3116562

1 April 2009 Spectral sensitivity optimization of color image sensors considering photon shot noise

Hideyasu Kuniba, Roy S. Berns

Author Affiliations +

Journal of Electronic Imaging, Vol. 18, Issue 2, 023002 (April 2009). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3116562

Abstract

Filter optimization is investigated to design digital camera color filters that achieved high color accuracy and low image noise when a sensor's inherent photon shot noise is considered. In a computer simulation, both RGB- and CMY-type filter sets are examined. Although CMY filters collect more photons, performance is worse than for RGB filters in terms of either color reproduction or noise due to the large noise amplification during the color transformation. When RGB filter sets are used and photon shot noise is considered, the peak wavelength of the R channel should be longer (620 to 630 nm) than the case when only color reproduction is considered: peak wavelengths 600, 550, and 450 nm for RGB channels, respectively. Increasing the wavelength reduces noise fluctuation along the a^* axis, the most prominent noise component in the latter case; however, color accuracy is reduced. The tradeoff between image noise and color accuracy due to the peak wavelength of the R channel leads to a four-channel camera consisting of two R sensors and G and B. One of the two R channels is selected according to the difference in levels to reduce noise while maintaining accurate color reproduction.

©(2009) Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)

Citation Download Citation

Hideyasu Kuniba and Roy S. Berns "Spectral sensitivity optimization of color image sensors considering photon shot noise," Journal of Electronic Imaging 18(2), 023002 (1 April 2009). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.3116562

Published: 1 April 2009

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