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

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-07-09
THE BOEING CO
View PDF6 Cites 20 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If the gray scale resolution of the camera is not altered for applications that do not require the full gray scale resolution, unnecessary data bits are generated which results in a slower and less efficient process than is necessary.
In addition, synchronizing the parallel data streams can be complicated.
However, the physical size and wiring requirements of these external analog to digital converters associated with cooled infrared cameras may result in significant disadvantages.
Moreover, existing analog to digital converter topologies may consume a significant amount of power and may occupy a large amount of die area.
This may make the integration of analog to digital converters into focal plane array readout electronics difficult or impractical.
Thus, current solutions frequently do not integrate analog to digital converters into focal plane array readouts.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter
  • Focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter
  • Focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0036]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a focal plane array in which an advantageous embodiment may be implemented. Focal plane array 100 is a focal plane array with serial, variable bit width analog to digital converter. Array of pixels 102 is a plurality of picture elements. A picture element (pixel) is an element or single point in a graphic image.

[0037]An analog voltage generated by a pixel in array of pixels 102 is sent to analog to digital converter 106. Analog to digital converter 106 is an electronic integrated circuit that converts an analog signal received from the pixel into discrete, digital output. Analog to digital converter 106 utilizes a recursive topology of a serial gray folding converter to perform a single bit of data conversion within each baud rate bit period of the serial interface.

[0038]The upper limit of the serial baud rate is determined by the settling time of the single converter stage implemented by one-bit converter 110. One-bit converter 110 is a single bit...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present disclosure is related to the following application entitled Analog to Digital Converter with Dynamically Reconfigurable Conversion Resolution, application Ser. No. ______, docket no. 07-0692, filed on Jan. 2, 2008, assigned to a common assignee, and incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND INFORMATION[0002]1. Field[0003]The present disclosure relates generally to focal plane arrays. More particularly, the present application is directed to a method and apparatus for a focal plane array with serial analog to digital converters with dynamically reconfigurable conversion resolution.[0004]2. Background[0005]A focal plane array is an image sensing device consisting of an array of light-sensing pixels at a focal plane of a lens. Focal plane arrays are used for a variety of purposes, such as, without limitation, imaging purposes, spectrometry, wave-front sensing, and scanning arrays. Focal plane arrays are frequently used in video...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): H03M1/12
CPCH03M1/007H04N5/378H03M1/40H04N25/75
InventorMUENTER, STEVEN EDWARDBURNS, RICHARD H.
OwnerTHE BOEING CO