Readout system and process for IR detector arrays
First Claim
1. A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising:
- a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation and having first and second terminals;
a capacitor coupled to the first terminal of said resistive detector element;
circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element;
a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation;
bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and
circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element, said output voltage substantially dependent upon said radiation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of detecting the intensity of radiation emanating from an object 116 relative to a background level at a pixel detector 120 is disclosed herein. A resistive element 122 with a resistance dependent upon the intensity of radiation impinging the detector 120 and having first and second terminals is provided along with an integration element 124 coupled to the first terminal of the resistive element. The first terminal is set to a reference voltage. The radiation is then defocused such that the radiation impinging the detector 120 is proportional to the background radiation level and a first voltage is applied to the second terminal of the resistive element 122 such that the integration element 124 discharges to a background voltage level. Next, the radiation is focused such that the radiation impinging the detector 120 is proportional to the radiation emanating from the object 116 and a second voltage is applied to the second terminal of the resistive element 122 such that the integration element 124 charges to an output voltage Vo level. The output voltage Vo is then sensed. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.
52 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising:
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a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation and having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element, said output voltage substantially dependent upon said radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of detecting the intensity of radiation emanating from an object relative to a background level at a pixel detector, comprising the steps of:
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providing a resistive element with a resistance dependent upon the intensity of radiation impinging said detector and having first and second terminals; providing an integration element coupled to the first terminal of said resistive element; setting said first terminal to a reference voltage; defocusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to said background radiation level and applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element discharges to a background voltage level; focusing said radiation such that the radiation impinging said detector is proportional to the radiation emanating from said object and applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element such that said integration element charges to an output voltage level; and sensing said output voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A pixel detector for detecting radiation emanating from an object comprising:
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a resistive detector element with a resistance dependent upon said radiation, said resistive detector element having first and second terminals; a capacitor coupled directly to said first terminal of said resistive detector element; circuitry for applying a reference voltage to the first terminal of said resistive detector element; a shutter for focusing and defocusing said radiation; bias circuitry for applying a first voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is defocused and for applying a second voltage to the second terminal of said resistive element when said radiation is focused; and circuitry for sensing an output voltage on the first terminal of said resistive detector element.
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Specification