公开(公告)号：US20220321811A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17656981

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Charles Myers ,  Adam Lee

IPC: H04N5/365 ,  H03F3/45 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a pixel system for correction of non-uniform photo-detector and pixel gains. The system includes a photodetector having a first terminal coupled to a voltage supply and a second terminal, a differential transimpedance amplifier having a first input coupled to the second terminal of the photodetector, and a bias circuit coupled to the differential transimpedance amplifier to set common mode feedback for the differential transimpedance amplifier and to set bias of the photodetector for correcting non-uniform photodetector gain. A digital-to-analog converter is coupled to the bias circuit to output multiple discrete voltage levels.

公开(公告)号：US20250044422A1

公开(公告)日：2025-02-06

申请号：US18362218

申请日：2023-07-31

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Andrew S. Huntington ,  Adam Lee ,  Michael James Munroe ,  Ronald Talaga

IPC: G01S7/4863 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/486 ,  G01S7/4865

Abstract: Split-detector lidar photoreceivers are described which utilize range-dependent focus to transition from illuminating two detector elements with returns from near targets, within a close-range threshold distance, to illuminating just one detector element for all other returns. In some examples, a split-detector can have or include a “bullseye” (concentric) detector configuration. Because two separate detector elements with separate amplifier chains are used, one channel can be optimized for the strong to and near-target returns, while another channel can be optimized and used for all other returns.

公开(公告)号：US11885646B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-30

申请号：US17400300

申请日：2021-08-12

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Charles Myers ,  Shunming Sun ,  Adam Lee

IPC: G01D18/00 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: G01D18/00 ,  H01L27/14609

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a detector system having a photodetector and an amplifier to amplify the photodetector signal. A discriminator generates an active output signal when the output from the amplifier is greater than a threshold. An injection circuit is coupled to the input of the amplifier. The injection circuit is configured to selectively inject a test pulse that mimics a pulse from the photodetector for verifying operation of the detector system.

公开(公告)号：US20230194685A1

公开(公告)日：2023-06-22

申请号：US17648702

申请日：2022-01-24

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Adam Lee ,  Charles Myers

IPC: G01S7/497 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S7/4863 ,  G01S17/89

CPC classification number: G01S7/497 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S7/4863 ,  G01S17/89

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel background current injection tests for lidar systems are described. Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel timing pulse current injection tests for lidar systems are further described. Systems, methods, and circuits for or pixel photodiode health checking/testing using on-chip bias adjustment and passive photo-current imaging circuitry for lidar systems are also described. Embodiments can be used for specification of an Application Safety Integration Level (ASIL) in compliance with a safety standard such as ISO 26262 or the like.

公开(公告)号：US11585910B1

公开(公告)日：2023-02-21

申请号：US17402065

申请日：2021-08-13

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Adam Lee ,  Andrew S. Huntington ,  Charles Myers ,  Shunming Sun

IPC: G01S7/48 ,  G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/894 ,  G01S7/4863

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for nonuniformity correction (NUC) for a sensor having an avalanche photodiode (APD) array and an integrated circuit. The sensor can include anode bias control module, a passive mode module, and an active mode module. DC photocurrent from the APD array can be measured and used for controlling an anode reverse bias voltage to each element in the APD to achieve a nonuniformity correction level less than a selected threshold.

公开(公告)号：US11722141B1

公开(公告)日：2023-08-08

申请号：US17660221

申请日：2022-04-22

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Leo Filippini ,  Charles Myers ,  Adam Lee

IPC: H03L7/095 ,  H03L7/081

CPC classification number: H03L7/095 ,  H03L7/0812

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits provide delay-locked loop (DLL) timing error mitigation. A DLL false-lock detection system can include DLL circuitry configured to receive a reference clock signal having a time period. The system can include shift register circuitry and latched comparison circuitry which can determine a time period of a locked condition of the DLL delay line with respect to the reference clock signal time period. The system can determine whether the system is correctly locked to the base time period or incorrectly locked to a multiple of the base time period. A further system can operate to cause a phase detector circuitry in a DLL to ignore the first edge of a reference clock signal presented to the phase detector circuitry and thereby avoid stuck-lock conditions.

公开(公告)号：US20220321809A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17656977

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Charles Myers ,  Adam Lee

IPC: H04N5/365 ,  H03F3/45 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G01J1/44

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a pixel system for providing power supply noise rejection. A photodetector has a first terminal coupled to a voltage supply and a second terminal and a differential transimpedance amplifier has a first input coupled to the second terminal of the photodetector. The differential transimpedance amplifier is configured to convert a singled ended output on the second terminal of the photodetector to a differential signal. A bias circuit is coupled to the differential transimpedance amplifier to bias the differential transimpedance amplifier and the photodetector.

公开(公告)号：US11619914B2

公开(公告)日：2023-04-04

申请号：US17805070

申请日：2022-06-02

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Charles Myers ,  Shunming Sun ,  Adam Lee

IPC: G04F10/00 ,  H03L7/081 ,  H03L7/085 ,  G01S7/4865

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an arrayed time to digital converter (TDC) having matched delay line sampling. In embodiments, a TDC includes a coarse counter circuit to provide an event coarse timing measurement for an event, a coarse counter delivery network to deliver a count value in the coarse counter circuit to a memory storage element circuit, and an array of matched delay lines to provide an event fine timing measurement to the memory storage element circuit. An array of event sample signal generators can generate signals for the event and an array of encoders can encode fine timing measurement information from the memory storage element circuit, where an output of the encoder and the event coarse timing measurement information provide a timestamp for the event. A global delay-locked loop can incorporate a matched delay line coupled to the array of matched delay lines.

公开(公告)号：US20220321810A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17656978

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Charles Myers ,  Adam Lee

IPC: H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/361

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a pixel system for capturing active imaging data. The system includes a photodetector having a first terminal coupled to a voltage supply and a second terminal and a differential transimpedance amplifier having a first input coupled to the second terminal of the photodetector. A voltage discriminator has an input coupled to an output of the differential transimpedance amplifier and an output.

公开(公告)号：US20230375678A1

公开(公告)日：2023-11-23

申请号：US17663896

申请日：2022-05-18

Applicant: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC

Inventor： Bryan Cadugan ,  Adam Lee ,  George Williams

IPC: G01S7/4863 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S7/487 ,  G01S17/32

CPC classification number: G01S7/4863 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S7/4873 ,  G01S17/32

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing signal return of photons reflected by a target illuminated by laser energy using at least one threshold. Parameters of pulses in the signal return exceeding one or more thresholds can be stored in memory. Example parameters include time of flight (ToF) and a time over threshold (ToT).