MIPI 2023 Challenge on RGBW Fusion: Methods and Results

Developing and integrating advanced image sensors with novel algorithms in camera systems are prevalent with the increasing demand for computational photography and imaging on mobile platforms. However, the lack of high-quality data for research and the rare opportunity for an in-depth exchange of views from industry and academia constrain the development of mobile intelligent photography and imaging (MIPI). With the success of the 1st MIPI Workshop@ECCV 2022, we introduce the second MIPI challenge, including four tracks focusing on novel image sensors and imaging algorithms. This paper summarizes and reviews the RGBW Joint Fusion and Denoise track on MIPI 2023. In total, 69 participants were successfully registered, and 4 teams submitted results in the final testing phase. The final results are evaluated using objective metrics, including PSNR, SSIM, LPIPS, and KLD. A detailed description of the models developed in this challenge is provided in this paper. More details of this challenge and the link to the dataset can be found at https://mipi-challenge.org/MIPI2023/.

1. Introduction

RGBW is a new type of CFA (Color Filter Array) pattern (Fig. 1 (a)) designed for image quality enhancement under low light conditions. Thanks to the higher optical transmittance of white pixels over conventional red, green, and blue pixels, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of images captured by this type of sensor increases significantly, thus boosting the image quality, especially under low light conditions. Recently, several phone OEMs [1], [2], [3] have adopted RGBW sensors in their flagship smartphones to improve the camera image quality.