SPATIALLY INTEGRAL, VIDEO SIGNAL PROCESSOR

A video signal processor, particularly for use in identifying light source position, in which a video signal stream from an image detector is processed directly on a substrate using charge coupled device stored image transfer technology. The video signal is clocked through an array of charge coupled devices in a plurality of closely adjacent channels on a single semiconductor chip in such manner that the pattern of signals stored on the chip in the region of the adjacent channels corresponds to the light source image on the detector. Video signal processing is shared between the chip and external electronics to provide an indication of signal strength (acquisition), signal background, and signal centroiding in both horizontal and vertical axes. Much of the signal processing is provided directly on the chip by segmenting and intercoupling the charge coupled device electrodes in a predetermined pattern. There results a reduction in the amount of interconnection, external electronics and the spatial distribution of the video signal that improves the system immunity to environmental noise and limits weight aloft.