Imaging Device Sparse Event Detection Pixel Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging systems face challenges in reading out images with sparse information, particularly when the impact rate of particles or photons is high, leading to poor position resolution and increased noise due to the need to integrate signals over time, which results in the loss of individual impact information.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a pixel array and a separate processing area that transfers and processes information from subgroups of pixels, allowing for fast readout of sparse events by detecting hits in columns and determining the center of gravity of events, thereby maintaining small pixel size and improving resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the imaging system integrates the signal of a pixel over time to handle high impact rates, then all impacts are grasped, but individual impacts within the same integration period cannot be distinguished anymore, resulting in worse position resolution and increased noise level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pixel array into multiple sub-arrays or regions, each processed independently by dedicated processing circuits. This segmentation allows simultaneous processing of multiple pixel groups without time integration, enabling distinction of individual impacts while maintaining detection completeness through parallel processing of all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension for event marking while maintaining spatial resolution through a two-stage process: first marking impacted pixels with temporary identifiers, then processing only the marked pixels in subsequent frames. This allows high frame rate readout while preserving individual impact information through the temporal marking mechanism.
2Measurement precision
If smart pixels with integrated counting features are used to distinguish individual impacts, then sufficient resolution is obtained, but the pixel size becomes large (>30 μm), preventing use in high resolution imagers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the processing functionality from the pixel level and concentrates it in dedicated processing circuits that operate on sub-arrays. This extraction allows standard-sized pixels to be used while achieving smart-pixel-level resolution through external processing, separating the detection function (pixel) from the processing function (external circuits).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal processing circuit that can handle multiple pixel groups and perform various operations (counting, position determination, event marking) using the same hardware infrastructure. This multi-functional approach achieves high resolution without requiring specialized large pixels, as the processing capability is shared across the entire array.
3Speed
If the imaging system reads out all pixel information at high frame rates, then fast readout is achieved, but processing time and data volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by marking impacted pixels with temporary identifiers during the readout process itself. This pre-marking allows the subsequent processing stage to focus only on marked pixels rather than scanning the entire array, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining high frame rate readout capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only the subset of pixels that were marked as impacted in the current frame, rather than processing all pixels. This selective processing approach reduces the data volume and processing time to manageable levels while maintaining complete information about the sparse events, avoiding excessive processing of unimpacted pixels.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for detecting one or more events in a pixel array. The imaging system comprises the pixel array and a processing area adjacent to the pixel array. The imaging system is configured to transfer the pixel information of a subgroup of pixels to the processing area and the processing area is configured to process the event information.