Receiver encoded active optical compressive sensing

Abstract

A system includes an optical source configured to generate an optical signal and illuminate a scene with the optical signal. A first spatial pattern generator comprising pixel elements is configured to form a mask, using the pixel elements, to mask a reflection of the optical signal received from the scene. A pattern controller is coupled to the first spatial pattern generator and configured to control the pixel elements individually to form the mask, and a detector is configured to measure an amplitude of the masked reflection of the optical signal. A digitizer is coupled to the detector and configured to digitize the measured amplitude into an amplitude value. A processor coupled to the pattern controller and the digitizer is configured to instruct the first pattern controller to form a first sequence of masks to sequentially mask reflections of the optical signal using the spatial pattern generator, store the amplitude value corresponding to the measured amplitude of the masked reflection of the optical signal for each mask in the first sequence of masks, and recover an array of signals from the scene based on the stored amplitude values and the first sequence of masks, wherein a number of the stored amplitude values and a number of masks in the first sequence of masks is less than a number of signals of the array of signals.