Multimode ROIC pixel with laser range finding (LRF) capability
AssigneeSensors Unlimited, Inc.
InventorsJohn Liobe, Joshua Lund
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit having a first plurality of transistors, and a laser range finding (LRF) circuit having a second plurality of transistors. At least one transistor of the second plurality of transistors, but not all of the second plurality of transistors, is included in the first plurality of transistors. The LRF circuit being configured to perform LRF operations and the image sensing circuit is configured to perform passive imaging operations. The image sensing circuit and the LRF circuit are configured to perform concurrently.
Claims21
A multimode LRF pixel of a pixel array comprising:
- a photodetector;
- an image sensing circuit having a first plurality of transistors, the image sensing circuit configured to perform passive imaging operations;
- and
- a laser range finding (LRF) circuit having a second plurality of transistors, at least one transistor of the second plurality of transistors, but not all of the second plurality of transistors, being included in the first plurality of transistors, the LRF being configured to perform LRF operations;
- wherein the image sensing circuit and the LRF circuit are configured to perform concurrently.
A focal plane array (FPA) having an array of multimode laser range finding (LRF) pixels, each multimode LRF pixel comprising:
- a photodetector;
- an image sensing circuit having a first plurality of transistors, the image sensing circuit configured to perform passive imaging operations;
- and
- a laser range finding (LRF) circuit having a second plurality of transistors, at least one transistor of the second plurality of transistors, but not all of the second plurality of transistors, being included in the first plurality of transistors, the LRF being configured to perform LRF operations;
- wherein the image sensing circuit and the LRF circuit are configured to perform concurrently.
A multimode laser range finding (LRF) apparatus comprising:
- a laser source;
- a focal plane array (FPA) having an array of multimode laser range finding (LRF) pixels, each multimode LRF pixel comprising:
- a photodetector;
- an image sensing circuit having a first plurality of transistors, the image sensing circuit configured to perform passive imaging operations;
- and
- a laser range finding (LRF) circuit having a second plurality of transistors, at least one transistor of the second plurality of transistors, but not all of the second plurality of transistors, being included in the first plurality of transistors, the LRF being configured to perform LRF operations, wherein the image sensing circuit and the LRF circuit are configured to perform concurrently.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.