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US 11,581,697 B2Granted
Detector system comparing pixel response with photonic energy decay
AssigneeAllegro MicroSystems, LLC
InventorsWilliam P. Taylor, Bryan Cadugan
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a controlling a stimulus source to direct photons to a pixel in a pixel array contained in a detector system, analyzing a response of the pixel in the pixel array; and generating an alert based on the response of the pixel in the pixel array. Example stimulus sources include a conductive trace, a PN junction, and a current source.
Claims25
A method, comprising:
- receiving a return laser pulse at a detector system having pixels in a pixel array;
- analyzing a response of the pixels in the pixel array including comparing the response to at least one threshold corresponding to decay of photonic energy of the laser pulse over distance and target reflectivity;
- and
- generating an alert signal based on the response of the pixels in the pixel array, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a first threshold corresponding to a first reflectivity and a second threshold corresponding to a second reflectivity.
1 more element
A detector system, comprising
- a detector to receive a return laser pulse, wherein the detector comprises pixels in a pixel array;
- a first module configured to analyze a response of the pixels in the pixel array including comparing the response to at least one threshold corresponding to decay of photonic energy of the laser pulse over distance and target reflectivity;
- and
- an alert signal configured to generate an alert based on the response of the pixels in the pixel array, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a first threshold corresponding to a first reflectivity and a second threshold corresponding to a second reflectivity.
1 more element
A method, comprising:
- employing an amplifier to amplify signals from a photodetector forming part of a detector system having a pixel array;
- applying an AC modulation signal to the amplifier, wherein an output signal of the amplifier includes a pulse signal generated by pixels in a pixel array contained in a detector system and the AC modulation signal;
- analyzing an output signal from the amplifier to detect a fault in operation of the photodetector;
- and
- filtering the AC modulation signal from the output signal of the amplifier.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.