Interferometric parallel detection using digital rectification and integration

A non-invasive optical detection method, comprising:

• generating source light having a range of optical wavelengths during each of at least one measurement period;
• splitting the source light into sample light and reference light;
• delivering the sample light into an anatomical structure, such that the sample light is scattered by the anatomical structure, resulting in physiologically-encoded signal light that exits the anatomical structure;
• combining, during each of the at least one measurement period, the physiologically-encoded signal light and the reference light into an interference light pattern having a plurality of optical modes with a first frequency band;
• respectively detecting different subsets of the plurality of optical modes of the interference light pattern, and respectively outputting a plurality of high-bandwidth analog signals corresponding to the different subsets of optical modes of the interference light pattern;
• parallel processing the plurality of high-bandwidth analog signals, and respectively outputting a plurality of mid-bandwidth digital signals, each having a second frequency band less than the first frequency band;
• processing the plurality of mid-bandwidth digital signals over an i number of iterations, and respectively outputting a plurality of low-bandwidth digital signals on the ith iteration, each low-bandwidth digital signal having a third frequency band less than the second frequency band;
• and
• analyzing the sample based on the plurality of low-bandwidth digital signals.

A multi-channel optical detector chip, comprising:

• a plurality of optical detectors configured for respectively detecting different subsets of the plurality of optical modes of a light pattern, and respectively outputting a plurality of high-bandwidth analog signals corresponding to the plurality of different subsets of optical modes of the light pattern;
• analog compression circuitry configured for respectively parallel processing the plurality of high-bandwidth analog signals, and respectively outputting a plurality of mid-bandwidth digital signals, each having a second frequency band less than the first frequency band;
• and
• digital compression circuitry configured for respectively processing the plurality of mid-bandwidth digital signals over an i number of iterations, and respectively outputting a plurality of low-bandwidth digital signals on the ith iteration, each low-bandwidth digital signal having a third frequency band less than the second frequency band.