Matrix-array sensor with temporal coding without arbitration

A matrix-array sensor comprising a matrix of detection elements that are arranged in rows and in columns and a readout circuit for each column, the detection elements of one and the same column being linked to the corresponding readout circuit via a bus, each detection element comprising a sensor for generating an electric current having an intensity that is representative of a physical quantity to be detected, a charge integrator configured to accumulate charge generated by said sensor, a comparator configured to generate a trigger signal when a voltage level across the terminals of this comparator reaches a threshold level, and a bus access logic circuit configured to receive, as input, said trigger signal and, following reception of said signal, to attempt to transmit, over said bus, an address of said detection element in the column, wherein the detection elements of one and the same column have different bus access priority levels, and wherein said bus access logic circuit of each detection element is configured:

• to abandon transmission of said address and reset the charge integrator of the detection element if the bus is pre-empted by a detection element having a higher priority level;
• to count the number of attempts made before being able to transmit said address;
• and to communicate said number to said readout circuit along with said address of the detection element.