3-transistor source follower-per-detector unit cell for 2-dimensional focal plane arrays

摘要

A Source-Follower-per-Detector (SFD) unit cell [12'], a two dimensional array [30] of same and a method of operating the two dimensional array. Each unit cell is constructed with but three transistors [14, 16, 22] and is coupled to an associated radiation detector [10] for receiving an output signal therefrom. A method includes a first step of (a) reading out a first row (N) of unit cells by asserting a first row enable signal for causing each of the unit cells of the row (N) to impress an electrical signal onto an associated output signal line. The electrical signal has a magnitude that is a function of the associated detector output signal. The method includes an additional step of (b) simultaneously resetting another row of unit cells each of which has a reset input coupled to and responsive to the assertion of the first row enable signal line.