Time: 3:35 PM – 4:25 PM
Location: Room 5
Speaker:
Dr. Sri Harsha Kodati
Senior Camera Engineer and Research Professional
Planet Labs
Sairaksha Kesarla
Engineering Program Manager
Planet Labs
Abstract:
This short course offers an in-depth overview of designing passive imaging systems tailored to specific applications, balancing performance, and cost constraints. It begins with an exploration of sensor device physics and imaging architectures, including the mechanisms of photon capture, charge generation and movement, and collection in CCD and CMOS-based sensors. We delve into various imaging architectures—such as full frame, frame transfer, interline, rolling shutter, and global shutter—examining their trade-offs to guide optimal selection.
The course then progresses to the imaging chain, from photons to digital numbers, dissecting the signal and noise sources encountered at each stage. Through comprehensive measurement and analysis techniques, participants will learn to quantify these sources, establishing a correlation between imperfect images and their underlying noise mechanisms. This segment is pivotal in identifying strategies to mitigate noise, enhancing image quality.
Concluding the course, we focus on the practical aspect of designing an application-specific imaging system. This involves a thoughtful consideration of cost, power, and performance trade-offs. By the end of this course, attendees will have gained the expertise to design and optimize imaging systems for varied applications, armed with an understanding of the intricate balance between technological possibilities and practical constraints.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Sri Harsha Kodati holds a master’s degree in VLSI Design from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, where he made significant advances in III-V detectors, developing infrared avalanche photodiodes with superior noise performance. His industry experience includes a stint as an Optoelectronic Device Intern at Apple, focusing on infrared detector noise characterization, and his current role as a Senior Camera Engineer at Planet. There, he plays a crucial role in imaging chain modeling, camera characterization, and cross-team collaboration to ensure design excellence in imaging technology. Additionally, he advises Ph.D. students in Professor Sanjay Krishna’s group, guiding the next generation of researchers.