Dynamic range extension of SPAD-based devices
Assigneeams International AG
InventorsAndré Van Der Avoird, Bobby Daniel, Erik Jan Lous, Jagruth Prasanna Kumar
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Abstract
A radiation-sensitive device is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) and circuitry configured to adapt a read-out rate of the plurality of SPADs in relation to an intensity of incident radiation. Also disclosed is an associated method of increasing a dynamic range of a radiation-sensitive device comprising a plurality of SPADs. The method comprises adapting a read-out rate of the plurality of SPADs in relation to an intensity of incident radiation.
Claims15
A radiation-sensitive device comprising:
- a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs);
- and
- circuitry configured to determine an intensity of incident ambient radiation by one or more cycles of reading-out a subset of the plurality of SPADs that is less than all the plurality of SPADS and configured to adapt a read-out rate of one or more of the plurality of SPADs in relation to the intensity of the incident ambient radiation that is incident on the plurality of SPADs by selecting a minimum of the one or more of the plurality of SPADS that is less than all the plurality of SPADS from which outputs are processed based on the intensity of the incident ambient radiation that maintains a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio and to configure a control operation of an imaging device based on the intensity of the incident ambient radiation that is determined.
A method of increasing a dynamic range of a radiation-sensitive device comprising a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), the method comprising:
- receiving incident ambient light on one or more of the plurality of SPADs;
- determining, using electronic circuitry, an intensity of incident ambient radiation by one or more cycles of reading-out a subset of the plurality of SPADs that is less than all the plurality of SPADS;
- adapting, using the electronic circuitry, a read-out rate of the one or more of the plurality of SPADs in relation to the intensity of incident ambient radiation that is incident on the plurality of SPADs by selecting a minimum of the one or more of the plurality of SPADS that is less than all the plurality of SPADS from which outputs are processed based on the intensity of the incident ambient radiation that maintains a predetermined signal-to-noise ratio;
- and
- configuring a control operation of an imaging device based on the intensity of the incident ambient radiation that is determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.