公开(公告)号：US10197448B2

公开(公告)日：2019-02-05

申请号：US15484989

申请日：2017-04-11

Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.

Inventor： Brian B. Simolon ,  Naseem Y. Aziz ,  Mark T. Nussmeier ,  Robert F. Cannata

IPC: G01J1/44 ,  G01J5/24 ,  G01J5/00 ,  G01J5/20

Abstract: A bolometer circuit may include an active bolometer configured to receive external infrared (IR) radiation and a resistive load, which are configured to be connected in series in a bolometer conduction path from a supply voltage node to a common voltage node. A node in the bolometer conduction path between the resistive load and the active bolometer is coupled to a first input of an op-amp. A variable voltage source is coupled to a second input of the op-amp to provide a reference voltage level. The op-amp maintains the reference voltage level at the first input to generate a current flow in response to a resistance change of the active bolometer due to the external IR radiation. The amplifier circuit may be configured as a feedback amplifier or an integrating amplifier. The bolometer circuit may be configured to enable a low-power mode of operation.

公开(公告)号：US11044422B2

公开(公告)日：2021-06-22

申请号：US16505260

申请日：2019-07-08

Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.

Inventor： Brian B. Simolon ,  Robert F. Cannata ,  John D. Schlesselmann ,  Mark T. Nussmeier ,  Eric A. Kurth

IPC: H04N5/33 ,  G01J5/34 ,  G01J5/10 ,  G01J5/00

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for facilitating pixel readout with partitioned analog-to-digital conversion. A device includes a detector, a capacitor coupled to the detector, a counter circuit coupled to the capacitor, a reset circuit coupled to the capacitor, and a processing circuit. The detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation associated with a scene and generate an associated detection signal. The capacitor is configured to, during an integration period, accumulate a voltage based on the detection signal. The counter circuit is configured to, during the integration period, adjust a counter value based on a comparison of the voltage and a reference voltage. The reset circuit is configured to, during the integration period, reset the capacitor based on the comparison. The processing circuit is configured to generate a digital detector output based on the counter value when the integration period has elapsed. Related methods are also provided.

公开(公告)号：US20190335118A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-31

申请号：US16505260

申请日：2019-07-08

Applicant: FLIR Systems, Inc.

Inventor： Brian B. Simolon ,  Robert F. Cannata ,  John D. Schlesselmann ,  Mark T. Nussmeier ,  Eric A. Kurth

IPC: H04N5/33 ,  G01J5/34

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for facilitating pixel readout with partitioned analog-to-digital conversion. A device includes a detector, a capacitor coupled to the detector, a counter circuit coupled to the capacitor, a reset circuit coupled to the capacitor, and a processing circuit. The detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation associated with a scene and generate an associated detection signal. The capacitor is configured to, during an integration period, accumulate a voltage based on the detection signal. The counter circuit is configured to, during the integration period, adjust a counter value based on a comparison of the voltage and a reference voltage. The reset circuit is io configured to, during the integration period, reset the capacitor based on the comparison. The processing circuit is configured to generate a digital detector output based on the counter value when the integration period has elapsed. Related methods are also provided.