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Imagine being able to prototype and test your entire imaging system virtually, with unparalleled accuracy and collaboration. ImSym – Imaging System Simulator provides an industry-first virtual prototyping platform. This tool is designed to streamline the development process, reduce costs, and bring innovative imaging systems to market faster than ever before.
ImSym integrates the trusted accuracy of CODE V and LightTools, renowned for their precision in optical design and analysis. By leveraging these powerful engines, ImSym ensures that your simulations are both reliable and detailed. This integration accelerates time to market by significantly reducing product development time. Furthermore, ImSym supports seamless team collaboration, allowing various domain experts to work together efficiently. This holistic approach not only enhances productivity but also reduces the overall cost of imaging system development.
End-to-end simulation for a Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) camera using ImSym
Description of an End-to-End MWIR Camera Model
Infrared light is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths too long to be seen by the human eye. Infrared imaging cameras operate in the infrared region beyond the visible light spectrum and are broadly divided into three categories based on the infrared wavelength band: short wave infrared (1 to 3 microns), mid-wave infrared (3 to 5 microns), and long wave infrared (8 to 15 microns).
The MWIR region is particularly useful for applications that require thermal imaging, as it can detect heat signatures and provide detailed information about the thermal properties of objects.
Image source: Shutterstock
For our example, we will create a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera model using ImSym. This model operates within the 3 to 5 microns wavelength range and includes essential components such as the scene, lens, and detector. By simulating these elements, we can gain insights into the camera's performance and optimize its design for specific applications. The MWIR camera model also incorporates advanced image processing techniques and stray light effects, ensuring a comprehensive and realistic simulation.
Description of the Optical System
The optical system for our MWIR camera model is designed to operate within the 3 to 5 microns wavelength range. The lens has an F-number of 1.1 and a half field of view (HFOV) of 14 degrees. The detector array is cooled to temperatures below 77K (-196°C) using a cryocooler, which is essential for reducing thermal noise and improving image quality. The detector itself has a resolution of 2100 x 2000 pixels with a pixel pitch of 6.3 microns. A cold shield behind a silicon window helps to minimize background radiation and further enhance the detector's performance. Custom noise characteristics are defined to simulate realistic sensor behavior.
Sample Mid-Wave Infrared Camera Model
ImSym Example
Scene and Lens
The first step in our simulation involves defining the scene and lens. We use a 2D scene, such as the Southern Ring Nebula captured by NIRCam on the James Webb Space Telescope, and a detailed lens file from CODE V. By combining these inputs, we can simulate the principal image, which includes lens effects like aberration, distortion, and relative illumination.
Image Simulation with Monochrome Sensor
Next, we set up the sensor model using a monochrome detector with specific resolution and pixel size. By defining the spectral data and customizing the noise model, we simulate the detector's response to the scene. This provides us with a grayscale image, which is essential for evaluating the sensor's performance and identifying any potential issues related to noise, sensitivity, or resolution.
Image Simulation with a Monochrome Sensor:
The detector used in the example is a mid-wave infrared monochrome sensor.
Convert a Gray Scale Image into False Color
To make the gray scale image more interpretable, we convert it into a false color, pseudo heat map using image signal processing (ISP). Custom routines are created to add false color and test different color maps, helping to highlight specific features and make the information more accessible. This step is particularly useful in infrared imaging for visualizing thermal variations and other subtle details.
The gray scale to false color conversion is performed using a custom ISP routine written in Python.
Image Simulation with Stray Light Effects
Finally, we incorporate stray light effects into our simulation. ImSym provides methods to model both additive stray light (external sources) and scene stray light (bright sources within the scene). By combining these effects, we achieve a more realistic and comprehensive simulation of the imaging system, ensuring it performs reliably in various lighting conditions.
The final image shows simulated stray light effects produced by sources in the scene and the additive stray light effects created by an external light source.
Conclusion
In summary, ImSym offers a powerful and versatile platform for imaging system simulation. It enables better collaboration among teams, reduces development time, and provides the flexibility to incorporate customized scripts and advanced effects. Whether you're working on an MWIR camera or another imaging system, ImSym is an invaluable tool for bringing your concepts to life. In addition to image simulation, ImSym supports automation through Python, allowing for efficient and repeatable simulations.
For more information or to request a demo or trial license, please email optics@synopsys.com.
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8 min read
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Mar 12, 2025
Virtual Prototyping of Optical Systems: Leveraging ImSym and Optical Scattering Data
