Event Tracking Imager with Segmented Readout Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor imaging devices face challenges in simultaneously achieving high-resolution passive imaging and rapid detection of high-energy events, such as small arms fire or explosive detonations, due to limitations in frame rate and saturation issues during energetic events.
Innovation Solution
The imaging device incorporates a pixelated array with integrated circuits featuring passive, active, and profile paths, allowing for independent readout of consecutive frames, high-energy event detection, and fast readout of energetic events in a region-of-interest, utilizing a readout decoder block, address arbitration control block, and profile decoder block to manage these paths asynchronously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single readout path is used for both passive imaging and high-energy event detection, then device complexity is reduced, but the frame rate for passive imaging decreases and saturation occurs during high-energy events
Solution Approach 1:
The readout circuit is divided into separate passive and active readout paths, allowing independent operation of each path. The passive readout path handles conventional frame-rate imaging while the active readout path detects high-energy events, eliminating mutual interference and enabling both functions to operate at optimal performance levels simultaneously
2Ease of operation
If the readout path integrates signals over a fixed frame period, then passive imaging is enabled, but saturation occurs during high-energy events
Solution Approach 1:
The integration period is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adjust the integration time based on detected event conditions. During high-energy events, the integration period is shortened or the readout is triggered asynchronously, preventing saturation while maintaining accurate signal measurement for both passive imaging and energetic events
3Measurement precision
If high frame rate readout is implemented for energetic events, then temporal resolution is improved, but the readout of passive imaging frames is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The readout system is segmented into independent passive and active channels with separate timing control. The active readout path can operate asynchronously at high frame rates for energetic events without interfering with the synchronous passive readout path, maintaining stability of the overall readout system while achieving high temporal resolution for events
4Ease of manufacture
If a single pixel structure is used for both passive detection and energetic event detection, then manufacturing is simplified, but dual mode functionality requires complex circuit control
Solution Approach 1:
A single pixel structure is designed to perform both passive imaging and high-energy event detection functions through integrated dual-mode circuitry. The pixel contains both passive photodetector elements and active event detection elements with shared readout capabilities, allowing one structure to fulfill multiple functions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enables simultaneous passive imaging, rapid detection of high-energy events, and high-rate readout of energetic events, providing temporal amplitude profiles without saturation, and allowing for the identification and characterization of high-energy events with improved temporal resolution.
Implementation Method 1
When a photon with sufficient energy is incident upon and absorbed in the structure an electron-hole pair is created
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device is disclosed, the device comprising a pixelated array of semiconductor detector elements, in which each detecting element is electrically connected to an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a passive signal path and an active signal path. The active path provides consecutive frame imaging and the active path detects the location of transient events. The device further comprising a readout decoder block, the readout decoder block controlling operation of the passive paths. Additionally the device comprises of an address arbitration control block, the address arbitration control block controlling operation of the active paths, wherein the address arbitration control block readout of the active paths is independent of readout of the passive paths.