Digital readout method and apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an array of photodetectors; and
a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) operably coupled to the array of photodetectors, the ROIC comprising;
a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), the plurality of ADCs comprising one ADC per photodetector in the array of photodetectors, each ADC in the plurality of ADCs operably connected to a corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors and configured to convert a respective analog signal from the corresponding photodetector into a respective digital signal; and
a plurality of counters, each counter in the plurality of counters operably coupled to a corresponding ADC in the plurality of ADCs and configured to store a respective digital number (DN) based on the respective digital signal.
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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.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of photodetectors; and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) operably coupled to the array of photodetectors, the ROIC comprising; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), the plurality of ADCs comprising one ADC per photodetector in the array of photodetectors, each ADC in the plurality of ADCs operably connected to a corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors and configured to convert a respective analog signal from the corresponding photodetector into a respective digital signal; and a plurality of counters, each counter in the plurality of counters operably coupled to a corresponding ADC in the plurality of ADCs and configured to store a respective digital number (DN) based on the respective digital signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of photodetectors; and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) operably coupled to the array of photodetectors, the ROIC comprising; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), each ADC in the plurality of ADCs operably connected and one-to-one mapped to a corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors and configured to convert a respective analog signal from the corresponding photodetector into a respective digital signal; and a plurality of counters, each counter in the plurality of counters operably coupled to a corresponding ADC in the plurality of ADCs and configured to store a respective digital number (DN) based on the respective digital signal, wherein each ADC in the plurality of ADCs occupies an area less than or equal to an area occupied by the corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors.
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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an array of photodetectors; and a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) operably coupled to the array of photodetectors, the ROIC comprising; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), each ADC in the plurality of ADCs operably connected and one-to-one mapped to a corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors and configured to convert a respective analog signal from the corresponding photodetector into a respective digital signal; and a plurality of counters, each counter in the plurality of counters operably coupled to a corresponding ADC in the plurality of ADCs and configured to store a respective digital number (DN) based on the respective digital signal, wherein each ADC of the plurality of ADCs operates independently of other ADCs within the plurality of ADCs.
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13. A method of converting analog signals, generated by an array of photodetectors, into digital signals using a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) operably coupled to the array of photodetectors, the ROIC comprising a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and a plurality of counters, the plurality of ADCs comprising one ADC per photodetector in the array of photodetectors, each ADC in the plurality of ADCs operably coupled to a corresponding photodetector in the array of photodetectors and each counter in the plurality of counters operably coupled to a corresponding ADC in the plurality of ADCs, the method comprising:
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generating, at each photodetector in the array of photodetectors, a respective analog signal; transferring each of the respective analog signals to a different ADC in the plurality of ADCs; converting, at each ADC in the plurality of ADCs, the respective analog signal into a respective digital signal; and storing, at each counter in the plurality of counters, a respective digital number (DN) based on the respective digital signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification