Focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter

摘要

A method and apparatus for a focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter. The focal plane array includes a plurality of pixels and a dynamically reconfigurable analog to digital converter. The controller determines a number of digital output bits required to generate digital output at a selected conversion resolution. A sample and hold circuit holds an analog voltage from a pixel to form a captured analog signal. A one-bit converter stage processes an instance of a captured analog signal to generate an output bit. The controller iteratively processes a residue voltage through the one-bit converter stage a number of times required to generate the number of digital output bits to form a digital output with the user defined conversion resolution.