Avalanche diode based detection device

    公开(公告)号:US12085677B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-09-10

    申请号:US17735547

    申请日:2022-05-03

    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai

    CPC classification number: G01S7/487 G01S7/4865 G01S17/04

    Abstract: There is provided a detection device including a light source, an avalanche diode, a first counter, a second counter and a processor. The light source emits light within a first interval, and is turned off within a second interval, a third interval and a fourth interval. The avalanche diode detects photons corresponding to the first interval, second, third and fourth intervals to trigger avalanche events. The first counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the first interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the third interval to generate a first count value. The second counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the second interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the fourth interval to generate a second count value. The processor calculates a time-of-flight according to the first count value and the second count value.

    Image sensor employing avalanche diode and pixel circuit and operating method thereof

    公开(公告)号:US11575854B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-07

    申请号:US17378843

    申请日:2021-07-19

    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai

    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.

    Time-of-flight device using two light modulation frequencies and operating method thereof

    公开(公告)号:US12210100B2

    公开(公告)日:2025-01-28

    申请号:US18198814

    申请日:2023-05-17

    Abstract: There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector.

    Image sensor with controlled SPAD avalanche

    公开(公告)号:US12028636B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-07-02

    申请号:US17943579

    申请日:2022-09-13

    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai

    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a floating diffusion. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. The floating diffusion is used to record a voltage of one photon event detected by the SPAD in an exposure period.

    OPTICAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSOR, METHOD, AND PROCESSING CIRCUIT CAPABLE OF AVOIDING MISJUDGMENT OF CHANNEL SAMPLING

    公开(公告)号:US20230324524A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-10-12

    申请号:US17718250

    申请日:2022-04-11

    CPC classification number: G01S7/4865 G01S17/894 G01S17/10

    Abstract: An optical time-of-flight sensor includes a sensor array and a channel sampling circuit. The channel sampling circuit is arranged for receiving a photon pulse signal, generated from a senor unit of the sensor array, receiving a first channel selection signal to generate a first freezing signal, generating a first channel event signal to a first counting circuit in response to the first freezing signal and the photon pulse signal, and receiving the first channel event signal to generate and count a pulse number of the photon pulse signal received by the first channel; when a rising edge of the photon pulse signal occurs, the first freezing signal is kept at a previous state until a falling edge of the photon pulse signal occurs.

    Image sensor employing avalanche diode and shared output circuit

    公开(公告)号:US11528444B2

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-13

    申请号:US17562326

    申请日:2021-12-27

    Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.

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