Digital readout method and apparatus
First Claim
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1. An apparatus comprising:
- a two-dimensional array of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); and
transfer circuitry operably coupled to the two-dimensional array of ADCs and configured to transfer digital data provided by a first ADC within the two-dimensional array of ADCs to a second ADC within the two-dimensional array of ADCs, wherein the second ADC in the two-dimensional array of ADCs comprises;
a counter to store at least one of the digital data transferred from the first ADC to the second ADC and other digital data generated by the second ADC.
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Abstract
Autonomously operating analog to digital converters are formed into a two dimensional array. The array may incorporate digital signal processing functionality. Such an array is particularly well-suited for operation as a readout integrated circuit and, in combination with a sensor array, forms a digital focal plane array.
67 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a two-dimensional array of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); and transfer circuitry operably coupled to the two-dimensional array of ADCs and configured to transfer digital data provided by a first ADC within the two-dimensional array of ADCs to a second ADC within the two-dimensional array of ADCs, wherein the second ADC in the two-dimensional array of ADCs comprises; a counter to store at least one of the digital data transferred from the first ADC to the second ADC and other digital data generated by the second ADC. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of processing digital data, the method comprising:
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converting an analog signal to digital data at a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in a two-dimensional array of ADCs; transferring the digital data from the first ADC to a second ADC in the two-dimensional array of ADCs; and changing a count associated with the second ADC based on the digital data transferred from the first ADC to the second ADC. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus comprising:
a two-dimensional array of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), the two-dimensional array of ADCs comprising at least one ADC configured to convert an analog signal to a digital signal, the at least one ADC comprising; a counter configured to decrement a count responsive to the digital signal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method of digital signal processing, the method comprising:
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converting an analog signal to a digital signal with at least one ADC in a two-dimensional array of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); and decrementing a count in a counter in the at least one ADC responsive to the digital signal. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification