A receiving arrangement for receiving light signals and a method for receiving light signals are proposed, wherein a light receiver is provided, which serves for receiving the light signals and converting them into electrical signals. Furthermore, an evaluation circuit is provided, which, depending on the electrical signals and a start signal for the emission of the light signals, determines a distance between the receiving arrangement and an object at which the light signals are reflected. A characterizing feature is that the light receiver has a first group of light-receiving elements, which has a higher sensitivity for receiving the light signals than at least one further group of light-receiving elements, wherein the first and the further groups are ready for reception at different times.

In a signal processing device, a branch section generates, from an input signal which is a current signal, a plurality of branch signals that are proportional to the input signal and have different signal intensities, and supplies the plurality of branch signals to respective different individual paths. A selection section selects one of the plurality of individual paths and outputs a signal supplied through the selected individual path. A determination section determines whether in each of the plurality of individual paths, a magnitude of a signal supplied to the selection section is in a preset allowable range. A control section causes the selection section to select the individual path having a highest gain among the individual paths in which the magnitude of the signal is determined by the determination section to be in the allowable range.

In a signal processing device, a branch section generates, from an input signal which is a current signal, a plurality of branch signals that are proportional to the input signal and have different signal intensities, and supplies the plurality of branch signals to respective different individual paths. A selection section selects one of the plurality of individual paths and outputs a signal supplied through the selected individual path. A determination section determines whether in each of the plurality of individual paths, a magnitude of a signal supplied to the selection section is in a preset allowable range. A control section causes the selection section to select the individual path having a highest gain among the individual paths in which the magnitude of the signal is determined by the determination section to be in the allowable range.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an open-loop control circuit (OLCC) configured to determine a photodiode element (PDE) drive voltage as a function of a commanded photodiode gain level and a measured temperature signal. In an illustrative example the OLCC may receive a current temperature of an APD element. The OLCC may, for example, receive a commanded gain for the APD relative to a predetermined reference gain. The OLCC may, for example, retrieve a predetermined efficiency characteristic (PEC) of the APD based on the current temperature. If the temperature corresponds to a substantially non-linear portion of the PEC, the OLCC may, for example, determine the drive voltage as a function of the temperature and the commanded gain based on the PEC. Various embodiments may advantageously provide direct control of output gain of photodiodes over a wide dynamic range of temperature associated with the photodiode.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to an open-loop control circuit (OLCC) configured to determine a photodiode element (PDE) drive voltage as a function of a commanded photodiode gain level and a measured temperature signal. In an illustrative example the OLCC may receive a current temperature of an APD element. The OLCC may, for example, receive a commanded gain for the APD relative to a predetermined reference gain. The OLCC may, for example, retrieve a predetermined efficiency characteristic (PEC) of the APD based on the current temperature. If the temperature corresponds to a substantially non-linear portion of the PEC, the OLCC may, for example, determine the drive voltage as a function of the temperature and the commanded gain based on the PEC. Various embodiments may advantageously provide direct control of output gain of photodiodes over a wide dynamic range of temperature associated with the photodiode.

An integrated photodetecting optoelectronic semiconductor component configured to deliver an output signal indicative of the intensity of light irradiating the component. The component may include a SPAD-based main detection device configured to detect incoming photons and to deliver an output signal based on the detected photons. The component may also include a SPAD-based reference detection device proximate to the main detection device where the reference detection device has the same electro-optical behaviour as the main detection device, is configured to detect incoming photons, configured to deliver a reference signal based on the detected photons, and has a light inlet for incoming photons. The component may also include a neutral density filtering device and a controller configured to determine a nominal output signal, compare the nominal output signal with the output signal delivered by the main detection device, and adjust an operating parameter based on the comparison.

Provided is a photodetector including: a photodetection element; a reset circuit that sets one end of the photodetection element to an initialization voltage after the photodetection element detects light, and that includes a variable current source capable of varying a current to be supplied to the one end of the photodetection element; and a control circuit that stepwise or continuously increases a current to be supplied to the one end of the photodetection element by using the variable current source until the one end of the photodetection element is set to the initialization voltage after the photodetection element detects light.

A method may include operating a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) in a first mode to determine a light intensity level associated with the SPAD, operating the SPAD in a second mode wherein a reverse bias voltage is applied in the second mode to bias the SPAD beyond its breakdown voltage, such that the SPAD operates in a detection mode, and determining a magnitude of the bias voltage applied to the SPAD in the second mode based on the light intensity level determined in the first mode.

A method may include operating a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) in a first mode to determine a light intensity level associated with the SPAD, operating the SPAD in a second mode wherein a reverse bias voltage is applied in the second mode to bias the SPAD beyond its breakdown voltage, such that the SPAD operates in a detection mode, and determining a magnitude of the bias voltage applied to the SPAD in the second mode based on the light intensity level determined in the first mode.

An optical receiver includes a parasitic current compensation circuit having a reference diode, a sense avalanche photodiode (APD), at least one DC voltage source, and a measurement node. The at least one DC voltage source is configured to generate a first DC bias voltage that varies over time and drives the reference diode, and generates a second DC bias voltage that varies over time and drives the sense APD. A reference parasitic current travels through the reference diode based on the first DC bias voltage. A sense current travels through the sense APD based on the second DC bias voltage and exposure of the sense APD to a light signal. The measurement node receives a sense photocurrent, which is generated by the sense APD in response to the exposure of the sense APD to the light signal, the sense photocurrent including the sense current less the reference parasitic current.