Digital readout method and apparatus

摘要

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.

主权项

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; anda 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.