LOW POWER IMAGING SYSTEM WITH SINGLE PHOTON AVALANCHE DIODE PHOTON COUNTERS AND GHOST IMAGE REDUCTION

摘要

An imaging system includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels. Each one of the pixels includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) coupled to detect photons in response to incident light. A photon counter included in readout circuitry coupled to each pixel to count a number of photons detected by each pixel. The photon counter is coupled to stop counting photons in each pixel when a threshold photon count is reached for each pixel. Control circuitry is coupled to the pixel array to control operation of the pixel array. The control circuitry includes an exposure time counter coupled to count a number of exposure times elapsed before each pixel detects the threshold photon count. Respective exposure time counts and photon counts are combined for each pixel of the pixel array.

主权项

1. An imaging system, comprising:
a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, wherein each one of the pixels includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) coupled to detect photons in response to incident light; a photon counter included in readout circuitry coupled to each pixel to count a number of photons detected by each pixel, wherein the photon counter is coupled to stop counting photons in each pixel when a threshold photon count is reached for each pixel; control circuitry coupled to the pixel array to control operation of the pixel array, the control circuitry including an exposure time counter coupled to count an exposure time elapsed before each pixel detects the threshold photon count, wherein respective exposure time counts and photon counts are combined for each pixel of the pixel array.