US 5,083,016 A · 3-transistor source follower-per-detector unit cell for 2-dimensional focal plane arrays

Abstract

A Source-Follower-per-Detector (SFD) unit cell [12'], a two dimensional array [30] of same and a method of operating the two dimensional array. Each unit cell is constructed with but three transistors [14, 16, 22] and is coupled to an associated radiation detector [10] for receiving an output signal therefrom. A method includes a first step of (a) reading out a first row (N) of unit cells by asserting a first row enable signal for causing each of the unit cells of the row (N) to impress an electrical signal onto an associated output signal line. The electrical signal has a magnitude that is a function of the associated detector output signal. The method includes an additional step of (b) simultaneously resetting another row of unit cells each of which has a reset input coupled to and responsive to the assertion of the first row enable signal line.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A readout unit cell circuit for coupling to a radiation detector, comprising:

a node having a capacitance associated therewith, the node being coupled to a radiation detector for storing charge generated by the detector;
first switching means coupled to the node and responsive to an assertion of an enabling signal for periodically impressing an electrical signal onto an output signal line, the electrical signal having a magnitude that is a function of the charge stored by the capacitance;
and
second switching means coupled to the node for periodically resetting the node to a predetermined signal level;
wherein
the unit cell is one of a plurality of unit cells organized into at least two groups, wherein each group contains a plurality of unit cells that are each coupled in common to an associated enabling signal, and wherein the second switching means is coupled to and is responsive to the assertion of an enabling signal associated with another group of unit cells.

3 more elements

A two dimensional array of unit cells organized as rows and columns of unit cells, each unit cell being coupled to an associated radiation detector means for receiving an output signal therefrom, comprising:

means for reading out a first row (N) of unit cells including means for asserting a first row enable signal for causing each of the unit cells of the row (N) to impress an electrical signal onto an associated output signal line, the electrical signal having a magnitude that is a function of the associated radiation detector means output signal;
and
means associated with each unit cell of a second row of unit cells for resetting the second row of unit cells to a predetermined signal condition, each of the unit cell resetting means having a reset input coupled to and responsive to the assertion of the first row enable signal line.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

3-transistor source follower-per-detector unit cell for 2-dimensional focal plane arrays

Life of this patent

3-transistor source follower-per-detector unit cell for 2-dimensional focal plane arrays

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17