Pixelated Sensor Readout Circuit Signal Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gamma-ray detectors face challenges in reducing the number of electronic channels needed for data acquisition, leading to increased complexity and cost, particularly in high-energy applications where spatial resolution and energy resolution are compromised due to the need for small pixel sizes and numerous photodetectors.
Innovation Solution
A readout electronic circuit that encodes information from pixel sensors using programmable weights and basis functions, allowing for scalable and reprogrammable operation, reducing the number of channels required by computing moments of the signal distribution, and enabling efficient processing of signals from gamma-ray detectors and image sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of photodetectors and pixels is increased to improve spatial resolution and energy resolution, then the detection performance is improved, but the number of electronic channels and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pixel sensor signals into a reduced set of electronic channels by computing moments (sum, weighted sum with x-coordinates, weighted sum with y-coordinates) of the signal distribution. This merging approach maintains spatial resolution information while reducing the number of channels required for data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the two-dimensional spatial distribution of signals across pixel sensors into a compact moment representation that captures essential spatial information in a reduced dimensional form, enabling efficient processing with fewer electronic channels.
2Device complexity
If the number of photodetectors is reduced to decrease system complexity and cost, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spatial resolution and energy resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation of moments (zeroth, first, and second moments) of the signal distribution before digitization and further processing. This preliminary action extracts essential spatial and energy information in advance, allowing reduced electronic channel count without losing critical measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from individual pixel signals to moment parameters (sum, weighted sums, and weighted sums of squares) that encapsulate spatial distribution characteristics, enabling efficient reconstruction of spatial resolution with fewer channels.
3Measurement precision
If small pixel sizes are used to improve spatial resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the number of pixels and electronic channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges signals from multiple small pixels by computing moments of the signal distribution, combining information from many pixels into a reduced set of electronic channels while preserving spatial resolution information through the moment calculations.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a method and an electronic circuit for reading the signals generated by one or more pixelated sensors in a gamma radiation detection system, which makes it possible to substantially reduce the number of electronic channels to be digitized. The electronic circuit in the invention is analogue and can also be coupled to other similar circuits in order to acquire the signals from larger sensors.