Light detection with semiconductor photodiodes
AssigneeOsram 0Pto Semiconductors GmbH
InventorsMassimo Cataldo Mazzillo, Tim Boescke, Wolfgang Zinkl
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Abstract
An integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component for detecting light bursts in a light signal received by the component includes a silicon photomultiplier for: measuring the intensity of the light signal received by the component, and outputting a measurement signal that is indicative of the light intensity of the received light signal. The component is characterised by a comparator circuit: having a first input section, a second input section and an output section, and operatively connected to the silicon photomultiplier via its first input section.
Claims13
An integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component for detecting light bursts in a light signal received by the component, the component comprising:
- a silicon photomultiplier for:
- measuring the intensity of the light signal received by the component, and
- outputting a measurement signal that is indicative of the light intensity of the received light signal;
- a comparator circuit comprising a first input section, a second input section and an output section,
- wherein the comparator circuit is operatively connected to the silicon photomultiplier via its first input section;
- and
- wherein the comparator circuit is adapted to:
- receive, via its first input section, the measurement signal outputted by the silicon photomultiplier,
- receive, via its second input section, a sensitivity threshold value representing the intensity contribution of background light to the received light signal,
- suppress the measurement signal during time intervals where the measurement signal is smaller or equal to the sensitivity threshold value, and
- output, as a light bursts signal indicative of the light bursts detected in the light signal, the suppressed measurement signal;
- wherein each single photon avalanche diode of the silicon photomultiplier is quenched.
An integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component for detecting light bursts in a light signal received by the component, the component comprising:
- a silicon photomultiplier for:
- measuring the intensity of the light signal received by the component, and
- outputting a measurement signal that is indicative of the light intensity of the received light signal;
- a comparator circuit comprising a first input section, a second input section and an output section,
- wherein the comparator circuit is operatively connected to the silicon photomultiplier via its first input section;
- and
- wherein the comparator circuit is adapted to:
- receive, via its first input section, the measurement signal outputted by the silicon photomultiplier,
- receive, via its second input section, a sensitivity threshold value representing the intensity contribution of background light to the received light signal,
- suppress the measurement signal during time intervals where the measurement signal is smaller or equal to the sensitivity threshold value, and
- output, as a light bursts signal indicative of the light bursts detected in the light signal, the suppressed measurement signal;
- wherein the silicon photomultiplier is an infrared silicon photomultiplier.
An eye tracking device comprising an integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component for detecting light bursts in a light signal received by the component, the component comprising:
- a silicon photomultiplier for:
- measuring the intensity of the light signal received by the component, and
- outputting a measurement signal that is indicative of the light intensity of the received light signal;
- a comparator circuit comprising a first input section, a second input section and an output section,
- wherein the comparator circuit is operatively connected to the silicon photomultiplier via its first input section;
- and
- wherein the comparator circuit is adapted to:
- receive, via its first input section, the measurement signal outputted by the silicon photomultiplier,
- receive, via its second input section, a sensitivity threshold value representing the intensity contribution of background light to the received light signal,
- suppress the measurement signal during time intervals where the measurement signal is smaller or equal to the sensitivity threshold value, and
- output, as a light bursts signal indicative of the light bursts detected in the light signal, the suppressed measurement signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.