Parallel Time-to-Digital Converter for Multi-Event Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time to digital converter (TDC) circuits can only process one event in a single measurement cycle, limiting their ability in time of flight imaging applications such as range finding and 3D imaging, where multiple events need to be processed simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multi-event TDC design that includes a sample module for sampling input signals at multiple time instances, a transition detection module with parallel comparison elements to detect transitions, and an output module for parallel output of detected transitions, allowing for the processing of multiple events in a single measurement cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional TDC circuit processes one event per measurement cycle, then the circuit complexity remains manageable, but the productivity and timing resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The TDC circuit is divided into multiple independent sample modules, each capable of sampling the input signal at different time instances. Each sample module includes its own comparison elements and output pathways, allowing parallel processing of multiple events without requiring a completely new circuit design for each event handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential event processing to parallel processing by adding a temporal dimension. Multiple sample modules operate simultaneously at different time instances, converting a single-dimensional time-processing approach into a multi-dimensional parallel architecture that handles multiple events concurrently.
2Productivity
If multiple events are processed in parallel, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit is segmented into identical or similar modular units (sample modules), each handling one event. This modularity allows the system to scale productivity by adding more modules rather than redesigning the entire circuit, making the complexity increase manageable and systematic.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sample module is designed with universal functionality to handle events independently. The comparison elements and output pathways are configured to work across multiple events, allowing the same basic module design to serve multiple purposes in the parallel processing architecture.
3Measurement precision
If conventional TDC uses single-clock-cycle measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient for high-resolution imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement process is segmented into multiple discrete time instances, with each sample module capturing the signal at a specific moment. This segmentation allows timing resolution finer than a single clock cycle by measuring at multiple predetermined time points and comparing transitions between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample modules are pre-configured with specific sampling time instances before the measurement cycle begins. This preliminary arrangement of sampling times allows the system to achieve high timing resolution without adding complexity during the actual measurement process, as the sampling architecture is already in place.
Data Source
AI summary
A time to digital converter includes a sample module operable to sample an input signal at multiple different instances of time. A transition detection module, formed of comparison elements, processes the sampled input signal at successive time instances so as to detect transitions in the input signal in terms of time. An output module generates detected transitions in the input signal on multiple parallel outputs.