Ultra low power solid state spectral radiometer

A diode based spectral radiometer apparatus measuring light intensity, detecting spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands, storing and transferring related data, the apparatus comprising:

• a spectrally sensitive circuit element section including a photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode having a charge characteristic, having a given bandgap energy and given reflection and absorption properties defining a wavelength within which the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode absorbs light, wherein the charge characteristic includes an inherent capacitance across the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode, and wherein the spectrally sensitive circuit element section including the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode is encapsulated in a transparent housing;
• a central processing unit (CPU), including a computer processor and a plurality of input output ports, communicatively coupled to the spectrally sensitive circuit element section and a timing apparatus and a data storage device, where the computer processor contains program code in memory, which when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to measure incoming light intensity detected by the spectrally sensitive circuit element section, and additionally causes the CPU to calculate, record and further process light intensity data;
• a case having a lid cover assembly removably fastened on top of the case, wherein the spectrally sensitive circuit element section and the central processing unit along with circuit wiring communicatively coupling the spectrally sensitive circuit element section with the central processing unit, and the timing apparatus and the data storage device reside, and wherein program code residing in memory of the computer processor, when executed by the computer processor causes measurement of light intensity, detection of spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands, storage and transfer of related data, by the spectral radiometer apparatus;
• and
• an adjustable spectrally sensitive circuit element section having an additional charge characteristic of an external capacitance switchably connected in a connection position selected from a group of connection positions consisting of in parallel with the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode and in series with the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode and open across the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode;
• wherein the external capacitance adjusts an amount of decay time of decreasing voltage across the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode, according to expected levels of light intensity.

A diode based spectral radiometer apparatus measuring light intensity, detecting spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands, storing and transferring related data, the apparatus comprising:

• a spectrally sensitive circuit element section including a photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode having a charge characteristic, having a given bandgap energy and given reflection and absorption properties defining a wavelength within which the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode absorbs light, wherein the charge characteristic includes an inherent capacitance across the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode, and wherein the spectrally sensitive circuit element section including the photon-dependent charge generation and recombination semiconductor diode is encapsulated in a transparent housing,
• a central processing unit (CPU), including a computer processor and a plurality of input output ports, communicatively coupled to the spectrally sensitive circuit element section and a timing apparatus and a data storage device, where the computer processor contains program code in memory, which when executed by the computer processor causes the computer processor to measure incoming light intensity detected by the spectrally sensitive circuit element section, and additionally causes the CPU to calculate, record and further process light intensity data;
• and
• a case having a lid cover assembly removably fastened on top of the case, wherein the spectrally sensitive circuit element section and the central processing unit along with circuit wiring communicatively coupling the spectrally sensitive circuit element section with the central processing unit, and the timing apparatus and the data storage device reside, and wherein program code residing in memory of the computer processor, when executed by the computer processor causes measurement of light intensity, detection of spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands, storage and transfer of related data, by the spectral radiometer apparatus,
• wherein the spectrally sensitive circuit element section includes a plurality of diodes, selected from a group of diodes consisting of an at least two diodes and an at least three diodes and an at least four diodes, wherein each diode of the plurality of diodes is made from a semiconductor material having different bandgap energy properties and different reflection properties and different absorption properties, and wherein each of the group of diodes is encapsulated in the transparent housing large enough to fully contain the at least two diodes and the at least three diodes and the at least four diodes.