Image acquisition technology

This survey includes a description of all types of two-dimensional image sensors in current use in television. Television is loosely defined as the acquisition, transmission, and display of moving pictures by electronic means. The technology of image acquisition is greatly complicated by the requirement in many parts of the industry that the images be in natural color. Some imagers include the color analysis means as an inherent part of their makeup. However, many color cameras use two or more monochrome sensors and a substantial peripheral system of optical, control, and signal-processing functions. Both of these major classes of color imagining systems are described. An outline is included of major categories of camera users, their equipment, and numbers. Finally, a tabulation is presented, giving the physical and electrooptic properties of a variety of cameras.