High Throughput Detector Array

A detector system comprising a detector having a 2-dimensional matrix of pixels including at least one group of pixels for accumulating data relating to discrete photons striking pixels in said matrix, the detector system further comprising a processing circuit for processing analog signals generated in respect of photons striking the pixels;

• the detector further comprising for each group:
• a respective electronic circuit coupled to each pixel in the group, each electronic circuit being responsive to a discrete photon striking the pixel for generating and storing an analog pixel level signal whose value is a function of energy of the photon,
• an analog databus that is common to all pixels in the group and which feeds said analog signals to a processing circuit for processing the analog signals,
• a common signaling line coupled to all pixels in the group for conveying to the respective electronic circuit a signal indicating that the databus is available to convey pixel data, and
• a respective logic circuit coupled to all of the electronic circuits in the group and being responsive to the signaling line being available and to the analog pixel level of any pixel in the group having an amplitude indicative of the pixel having been hit by a photon, for passing said analog pixel level on to the databus and flagging the signaling line as busy so that the other pixels in the group are notified that the databus is busy;
• and
• the processing circuit including:
• a synchronous circuit, and
• a de-randomizing circuit to which the synchronous circuit and the electronic circuits are coupled and which synchronizes pixel data fed randomly to the databus to the synchronous circuit.

A method for accumulating data relating to photons striking a detector having a 2-dimensional matrix of pixels, said matrix including at least one group of pixels, said method comprising for each pixel in any one of said groups:

• coupling to each pixel in the group a respective electronic circuit that is responsive to a discrete photon striking the pixel for generating an analog pixel level signal whose value is a function of energy of the photon;
• determining whether the value of the analog pixel level signal exceeds a minimum threshold indicative of the signal being eligible to be acquired;
• if the signal is eligible to be acquired, sampling and storing a peak value of the pixel level signal after a specified time delay;
• monitoring a signaling line for receipt of an availability signal indicating that an analog databus that is common to all the pixels in the group is available for conveying data;
• upon receiving an availability signal, locking the databus and conveying the analog pixel level signal along the analog databus to a processing circuit for processing respective analog pixel level signals generated by pixels in the sensor;
• and
• resetting the pixel when transfer of the analog pixel level signal is completed and releasing the signaling line, thus allowing for other pixels in the group to use the databus.