US 2023/0056910 A1 · BOLOMETER PIXEL-BASED THERMALLY ACTUATED TRIGGER ROIC WITH SELF-HEATING COMPENSATION AND CALIBRATION (BARRIER-SHC)

Abstract

A trigger sense circuit includes a pseudo-differential comparator circuit in signal communication with a pixel array. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit includes a first input in signal communication with a reference pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel reference voltage, and a second input in signal communication with a target pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel target voltage. The pseudo-differential comparator circuit is configured to selectively operate in a calibration mode to remove false trigger events and a comparison mode to detect at least one overheated pixel included in the target pixel group.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A trigger sense circuit comprising:

a pseudo-differential comparator circuit in signal communication with a pixel array, the pseudo-differential comparator circuit comprising:
a first input in signal communication with a reference pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel reference voltage;
and
a second input in signal communication with a target pixel group included in the pixel array to receive a pixel target voltage,
wherein the pseudo-differential comparator circuit selectively operates in a calibration mode to remove false trigger events, and a comparison mode to detect at least one overheated pixel included in the target pixel group.

2 more elements

A trigger sense circuit comprising:

a full-differential comparator circuit in signal communication with a pixel array, the full-differential comparator circuit comprising:
a first differential comparator configured to compare a first pixel voltage associated with a first pixel group included in the pixel array with a first pixel voltage threshold defined by a second pixel group included in the pixel array;
and
a second differential comparator configured to compare a second pixel voltage associated with the second pixel group with a second pixel voltage threshold defined by the first pixel group,
wherein the full-differential comparator circuit selectively operates in a calibration mode to remove false trigger events, and a comparison mode to detect at least one overheated pixel included in one or both of the first pixel group and the second pixel group.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/406,432Filed 19 Aug 2021

Published

23 Feb 2023

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G01J 5/22
Using resistors, thermistors or semiconductors sensitive to radiation, e.g. photoconductive devices: electrical features thereof
G01J 5/24
Electrical features thereof: use of specially adapted circuits, e.g. bridge circuits
H04N 23/20
Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof: for generating image signals from infrared radiation only
H04N 25/21
For transforming only infrared radiation into image signals: for transforming thermal infrared radiation into image signals

Bolometer pixel-based thermally actuated trigger roic with self-heating compensation and calibration (barrier-shc)

Life of this patent

Bolometer pixel-based thermally actuated trigger roic with self-heating compensation and calibration (barrier-shc)

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20