Microbolometer operating system
First Claim
1. A method for reading a microbolometer array having a number of microbolometer sensor elements that are arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, each of the microbolometer sensor elements in a column being connected to a different one of a number of row read out lines when the column is selected, and a selected one of the number of row read out lines being connected, either directly or indirectly, to an output amplifier when a row is selected, the method comprising:
- selecting a first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the first row onto a first read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array;
deselecting the first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
deselecting the columns of the microbolometer array for a predetermined period of time while a second row is selected;
selecting a second row of microbolometer sensor elements; and
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto a second read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for reading a microbolometer array that is arranged into a number of rows and columns. Preferably, the method includes deselecting all columns in the microbolometer array for a period of time after a new row read line is selected. This may help reduce transients on the newly selected row read line during an actual read operation.
45 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for reading a microbolometer array having a number of microbolometer sensor elements that are arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, each of the microbolometer sensor elements in a column being connected to a different one of a number of row read out lines when the column is selected, and a selected one of the number of row read out lines being connected, either directly or indirectly, to an output amplifier when a row is selected, the method comprising:
-
selecting a first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the first row onto a first read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array;
deselecting the first row of microbolometer sensor elements;
deselecting the columns of the microbolometer array for a predetermined period of time while a second row is selected;
selecting a second row of microbolometer sensor elements; and
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto a second read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method for reading a microbolometer array having a number of microbolometer sensor elements that are arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, the method comprising:
-
deselecting a first row of microbolometer sensor elements including disconnecting a first row read out line from an output amplifier;
selecting a second row of microbolometer sensor elements including connecting, either directly or indirectly, a second row read out line to the output amplifier;
waiting for a predetermined period of time; and
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto the second row read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An microbolometer array, comprising:
-
a number of microbolometer sensor elements arranged into a number of rows and a number of columns, each of the microbolometer sensor elements in each column being connected to a different one of a number of row read out lines when the column is selected, and a selected one of the number of row read out lines being connected, either directly or indirectly, to an output amplifier when a row is selected; and
a controller, the controller providing control signals to the microbolometer array for;
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of a first row onto a first read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array;
deselecting the columns of the microbolometer array for a predetermined period of time while a second row is selected;
selecting the second row of microbolometer sensor elements; and
reading the microbolometer sensor elements of the second row onto a second read out line by individually selecting each of the columns of the microbolometer array.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
-
Specification