Imager readout architecture utilizing A/D converters (ADC)

摘要

The invention provides an imager readout architecture utilizing analog-to-digital converters (ADC), the architecture comprising a band-limited sigma delta modulator (SDM) ADC; and a serpentine readout, which can be configured to allow the band-limited SDM to multiplex between multiple columns by avoiding discontinuities at the edges of a row. SDM ADC image reconstruction artifacts are minimized using a modified serpentine read out methodology, the methodology comprising using primary and redundant slices with the serpentine read out in opposite directions and averaging the slices. Advantageously, the invention can be used to develop a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) for strained layer superlattice imagers (SLS) using sigma delta modulator (SDM) based analog to digital converters (SDM ADC).

主权项

1. An imaging readout method, the method comprising:
providing an image; dividing the image into slices; employing a serpentine readout for each slice, the method comprising, starting at the top of the slices:
reading odd-numbered rows from left to right; andreading even-numbered rows from right to left; andwherein the rows from top to bottom are read in a serpentine pattern.