Artificial flat fields

["Creager, Robert S" <CreagRS@LOUISVILLE.STORTEK.COM>]

Hey folks,

How much thought has been put into using a large number of unlensed 120
degree led's, plus a diffuser plate?  I'm getting specific 'cause I just
talked to our of our EE's who creates our scanner illumination cards (and
camera systems).  These cards must provide even illumination (for ease of
software use) over a 5.25" fov, for a line scan camera.

His thoughts run akin to dumping large numbers (at .4" spacing or less) of
led's on a card, going beyond the TASSIV tube diameter by 1" or so (with
led's) and putting on a diffuser plate of some sort (plastic light diffuser
from hardware store as a cheap start).  Depending on the distance to the
system and the results, depopulation of the card may be possible.

This could be useful since any mounting surface could be used (side wall,
top, etc.).  The real fun part would be soldering all those led's on...

Later,
Rob