SNR analysis of the stripe illuminator based on linear emitter and cylindrical lens against solar irradiance

Achieving good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) against solar illumination is a basic requirement for the light source of active vision sensors in outdoor applications. The article examines the high power stripe-lighting setup, constructed with a cylindrical lens and a rectangular emitting source placed at the focal line of the lens. This source type is capable of illuminating a very high total power because of the large surface size of the emitter; thus it is advantageous for outdoor applications. A detailed radiometric analysis of this setup is presented resulting in an integral for the calculation of the spatial irradiance distribution within the stripe. The achievable SNRs against solar illumination are calculated by applying the radiometric integral for different rectangular emitters built of LED arrays, laser diode arrays and incandescent sources. The article proposes stripe illuminators applying all the analyzed emitter types that are suitable for operation in direct sunshine.