Spatio-spectral color filter array design for enhanced image fidelity

In digital imaging applications, data are typically obtained via a spatial subsampling procedure implemented as a color filter array-a physical construction whereby only a single color representative is measured at each pixel location. Owing to the growing ubiquity of color imaging and display devices, much recent work has focused on the interplay between color filter array design and subsequent digital processing, including in particular the canonical spatio-chromatic reconstruction task known as demosaicking. Here we consider the problem of improved color filter array design, leading to enhanced image fidelity. We first analyze the limitations of the well-known Bayer pattern, currently most popular in industry. We then propose a framework for designing rectangular color filter arrays amenable to efficient and completely linear reconstruction, and provide examples of new patterns that enable improvements in reconstruction quality.