Time-of-flight distance compensation threshold ramp driver

A time-of-flight sensor threshold circuit comprising:

• an output portion in electrical communication with a time-of-flight sensor, adapted and configured to output a threshold voltage to the sensor;
• an initial threshold voltage portion, including at least one solid-state circuit element adapted and configured to set the threshold voltage at a selected maximum threshold value;
• a time-dependent portion, including at least one solid-state circuit element adapted and configured to charge and discharge over time, in electrical communication with the output portion;
• a current control portion, including at least one solid-state circuit element adapted and configured to dissipate or provide electrical energy;
• a threshold voltage ramp control portion, including at least one solid-state circuit element adapted and configured to lower the threshold value over time by discharging or charging the time-dependent portion to the current control portion at a selected rate;
• and
• a synchronizing portion, including at least one solid-state circuit element adapted and configured to synchronize current flow to or from the current control portion with a synchronizing input signal derived from or time-aligned with an external illumination event, enabling the threshold voltage ramp control portion in response to that external illumination event, the output portion outputting a resultant time-dependent threshold voltage to the sensor, the threshold value reducing over time from the initial threshold value, while a synchronizing input signal is provided.