Statistical analysis of a generalized compound eye detector array

We consider a novel detector array for detecting and localizing particle emitting sources. The array configuration generalizes the biological compound eye: it consists of multiple "eyelets," each having a conical module with a lens on top and a subarray inside containing multiple small particle detectors; compared with the compound eye, it is spherically shaped and typically has more detectors in each eyelet. The detectors can count particles such as photons (e.g. visible light, gamma or X rays), protons, neutrons, a particles or electrons. We analyze statistical the performance of the array by computing Cramer-Rao bounds on the errors in estimating the source direction. We use the results to quantitatively compare the performance of the proposed array with that of the biological compound eye. Numerical examples illustrate the lower bound of the performance through the mean-square angular error (MSAE) bound, as a function of the array configuration variables. Potential applications include artificial vision, astronomy, and security