The resolution limit of visual sensors due to finite pixel spacing
can be overcome by applying continuous low-amplitude vibrations to
the image---or taking advantage of existing vibrations in the
environment, for instance in a mobile robotics application. Thereby,
spatial intensity gradients turn into temporal intensity
fluctuations which can be detected and processed by every pixel
independently from the others. This approach enhances resolution
and virtually eliminates fixed-pattern noise. An integrated circuit
is described which implements this visual sensing principle. It
incorporates an array of 32 by 32 pixels with local temporal signal
processing, and a novel non-arbitrated address-event communication
scheme providing timing guarantees on external signals for easy
interfacing with off-the-shelf digital components.
