Microbolometer operating system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorRoland Andrew Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for reading a microbolometer array that is arranged into a number of rows and columns. Preferably, the method includes deselecting all columns in the microbolometer array for a period of time after a new row read line is selected. This may help reduce transients on the newly selected row read line during an actual read operation.
Claims18
A method for reading a microbolometer array having a number of microbolometer sensor elements that are arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, each of the microbolometer sensor elements in a column being connected to a different one of a number of row read out lines when the column is selected, and a selected one of the number of row read out lines being connected, either directly or indirectly, to an output amplifier when a row is selected, the method comprising:
- selecting a first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
- reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the first row onto a first read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array;
- deselecting the first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
- deselecting the columns of the microbolometer array for a predetermined period of time while a second row is selected;
- selecting a second row of microbolometer sensor elements;
- and
- reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto a second read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array.
A method for reading a microbolometer array having a number of microbolometer sensor elements that are arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, the method comprising:
- deselecting a first row of microbolometer sensor elements including disconnecting a first row read out line from an output amplifier;
- selecting a second row of microbolometer sensor elements including connecting, either directly or indirectly, a second row read out line to the output amplifier;
- waiting for a predetermined period of time;
- and
- reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto the second row read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array.
An microbolometer array, comprising:
- a number of microbolometer sensor elements arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, each of the microbolometer sensor elements in each column being connected to a different one of a number of row read out lines when the column is selected, and a selected one of the number of row read out lines being connected, either directly or indirectly, to an output amplifier when a row is selected;
- and
- a controller, the controller providing control signals to the microbolometer array for:
- reading the microbolometer sensor elements of a first row onto a first read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array;
- deselecting the columns of the microbolometer array for a predetermined period of time while a second row is selected;
- selecting the second row of microbolometer sensor elements;
- and reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto a second read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.