Coordinated in-pixel light detection method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus of coordinated in-pixel light detection is provided. In one aspect, the method includes implementing an N-number of avalanche photodiodes inside a pixel circuit of a light detection circuit. The method also includes coordinating an output of the N-number of avalanche photodiodes through a counter circuit. The method further includes reducing a deadtime of the light detection circuit by a factor of ‘N’ through the N-number of avalanche photodiodes and the counter circuit operating in concert. The method furthermore includes measuring an intensity of a light through the light detection circuit. N-number of avalanche photodiodes is in a common well of a semiconductor technology. N-number of avalanche photodiodes is fabricated on a deep submicron semiconductor technology. A fill factor of the pixel circuit improves and a deadtime reduces through fabrication of the avalanche photodiodes in a common well. Also, a photon count rate increases through reducing the deadtime.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.