G01J1/44

Linear regulation of SPAD shutoff voltage

Described herein is an electronic device, including a pixel and a turn-off circuit. The pixel includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) having a cathode coupled to a high voltage node and an anode selectively coupled to ground through an enable circuit, and a clamp diode having an anode coupled to the anode of the SPAD and a cathode coupled to a turn-off voltage node. The turn-off circuit includes a sense circuit coupled between the turn-off voltage node and ground and configured to generate a feedback voltage, and a regulation circuit configured to sink current from the turn-off voltage node to ground based upon the feedback voltage such that a voltage at the turn-off voltage node maintains generally constant.

Photoconductor Readout Circuit

Disclosed herein is a device including at least one photoconductor configured for exhibiting an electrical resistance dependent on an illumination of a light-sensitive region of the photoconductor; and at least one photoconductor readout circuit, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one voltage divider circuit, where the voltage divider circuit includes at least one reference resistor Rref being arranged in series with the photoconductor, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one amplifier device, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one capacitor arranged between an input of the amplifier device and an output of the voltage divider circuit.

Photoconductor Readout Circuit

Disclosed herein is a device including at least one photoconductor configured for exhibiting an electrical resistance dependent on an illumination of a light-sensitive region of the photoconductor; and at least one photoconductor readout circuit, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one voltage divider circuit, where the voltage divider circuit includes at least one reference resistor Rref being arranged in series with the photoconductor, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one amplifier device, where the photoconductor readout circuit includes at least one capacitor arranged between an input of the amplifier device and an output of the voltage divider circuit.

Sensor and operating method
11525730 · 2022-12-13 · ·

A sensor including at least one sensor chip for detecting a radiation; and an electronics unit with a digital, bidirectional connection line and with a standby control circuit, as well as with an active status line; wherein the connection line is configured to be connected to an external activation unit; and the standby control circuit is configured to determine whether the connection line is externally addressed by the activation unit when the connection line is not addressed by the active status line, and precisely then to place the sensor in a standby mode.

Sensor and operating method
11525730 · 2022-12-13 · ·

A sensor including at least one sensor chip for detecting a radiation; and an electronics unit with a digital, bidirectional connection line and with a standby control circuit, as well as with an active status line; wherein the connection line is configured to be connected to an external activation unit; and the standby control circuit is configured to determine whether the connection line is externally addressed by the activation unit when the connection line is not addressed by the active status line, and precisely then to place the sensor in a standby mode.

Photon avalanche diode and methods of producing thereof

A photon avalanche diode includes a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a primary doped region of a first conductivity type at the first side of the semiconductor body, a primary doped region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type at the second side of the semiconductor body, an enhancement region of the second conductivity type below and adjoining the primary doped region of the first conductivity type, the enhancement region forming an active pn-junction with the primary doped region of the first conductivity type, and a collection region of the first conductivity type interposed between the enhancement region and the primary doped region of the second conductivity type and configured to transport a photocarrier generated in the collection region or the primary doped region of the second conductivity type towards the enhancement region.

Photon avalanche diode and methods of producing thereof

A photon avalanche diode includes a semiconductor body having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a primary doped region of a first conductivity type at the first side of the semiconductor body, a primary doped region of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type at the second side of the semiconductor body, an enhancement region of the second conductivity type below and adjoining the primary doped region of the first conductivity type, the enhancement region forming an active pn-junction with the primary doped region of the first conductivity type, and a collection region of the first conductivity type interposed between the enhancement region and the primary doped region of the second conductivity type and configured to transport a photocarrier generated in the collection region or the primary doped region of the second conductivity type towards the enhancement region.

UNDERWATER CAMERA AS LIGHT SENSOR
20220390275 · 2022-12-08 ·

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium that automatically performs actions in an aquaculture environment based on light sensed by underwater cameras. One of the methods includes obtaining images of a surface of water captured by a camera that faces upwards from a depth towards the surface of the water within an enclosure that encloses aquatic livestock. An ambient light metric is determined at the depth from the images of the surface of the water. A determination is made as to whether the camera satisfies one or more depth criteria. Based on determining that the depth of the camera satisfies the one or more depth criteria, it is determined that, based on the ambient light metric at the depth, one or more action criteria are satisfied, then initiating performance of an action to be performed for the aquatic livestock.

UNDERWATER CAMERA AS LIGHT SENSOR
20220390275 · 2022-12-08 ·

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium that automatically performs actions in an aquaculture environment based on light sensed by underwater cameras. One of the methods includes obtaining images of a surface of water captured by a camera that faces upwards from a depth towards the surface of the water within an enclosure that encloses aquatic livestock. An ambient light metric is determined at the depth from the images of the surface of the water. A determination is made as to whether the camera satisfies one or more depth criteria. Based on determining that the depth of the camera satisfies the one or more depth criteria, it is determined that, based on the ambient light metric at the depth, one or more action criteria are satisfied, then initiating performance of an action to be performed for the aquatic livestock.

PROTECTIVE MASK FOR AN OPTICAL RECEIVER

An optical receiver including an ASIC, a light detector element, and a protective mask is disclosed. The light detector element is disposed on the ASIC and has a top surface oriented toward incident light, the top surface including a portion configured to receive the incident light and via which the incident light reaches an active area of the light detector element. The protective mask is placed over the ASIC so as to (i) cover, from the incident light, a portion of the ASIC, and (ii) provide an aperture that defines an optical path for the incident light through the protective mask to the portion of the top surface of the light detector element.