Data compression for time-stretch imaging based on differential detection and run-length encoding

A high-fidelity data compression method based on differential detection and run-length encoding is proposed for time-stretch imaging system, where spatial image is mapped to the time domain and then read out by a balanced photodetector for image reconstruction. Differential detection is capable of distinguishing discrepancy of consecutive scans and eliminating identical signals. After the detection, run-length encoding merges consecutive identical data to a single data. In the experiment, a 77.76 MHz line-scan imaging system is demonstrated. The compression ratio of more than 3.8 is achieved. After the data decompression, the image of high fidelity can be reconstructed.