Improvements in light detection with semiconductor photodiodes

An integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component for detecting light bursts in a light signal received by the component, the component comprising:

• a silicon photomultiplier for:
• measuring the intensity of the light signal received by the component, and
• outputting a measurement signal that is indicative of the light intensity of the received light signal;
• a comparator circuit comprising a first input section, a second input section and an output section,
• wherein the comparator circuit is operatively connected to the silicon photomultiplier via its first input section;
• and
• wherein the comparator circuit is adapted to:
• receive, via its first input section, the measurement signal outputted by the silicon photomultiplier,
• receive, via its second input section, a sensitivity threshold value representing the intensity contribution of background light to the received light signal,
• suppress the measurement signal during time intervals where the measurement signal is smaller or equal to the sensitivity threshold value, and
• output, as a light bursts signal indicative of the light bursts detected in the light signal, the suppressed measurement signal.