Programmable SiPM Arrays with Reconfigurable SPAD Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) devices face challenges with high power dissipation and large I/O bandwidth requirements, as well as inflexible wiring arrangements that hinder adaptability in configuration and positioning.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable SPAD array is developed, featuring a substrate with SPADs, outputs, and electrical components that allow selective connection of SPADs to outputs, dynamically defining multiple SiPMs. This configuration reduces power dissipation and I/O bandwidth while enabling flexible adaptation to different resolution elements and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual TDCs are incorporated for each SPAD pixel in a fully digital manner, then flexibility in SiPM configuration is improved, but power dissipation and I/O bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the SPAD array into multiple groups where each group shares a common TDC and output channel. This segmentation reduces the number of individual TDCs and output channels from N (one per SPAD) to M (where M < N), directly reducing power consumption and I/O bandwidth requirements while maintaining configuration flexibility through software-controlled grouping.
Solution Approach 2:
Each TDC and output channel is designed to serve multiple SPAD pixels simultaneously through the electrical components (switches/multiplexers). The universal output channels can be dynamically assigned to different SPAD groups, allowing the same hardware resource to perform multiple functions and serve different configuration needs without requiring dedicated resources for each SPAD.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If SPADs are wired in parallel in a fully analog manner, then power dissipation is reduced, but wiring arrangement flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic reconfigurability through electrical components (switches or multiplexers) that allow the wiring connections between SPADs and output channels to be changed during operation. This dynamic switching capability enables the system to adapt wiring arrangements on-demand, providing flexibility comparable to fully digital implementations while maintaining the lower power consumption of analog parallel wiring.
3Measurement precision
If individual TDCs are incorporated for each SPAD pixel, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the SPAD array into groups that share common TDC resources. Each group is managed by a single TDC, reducing the total number of TDCs from N to M. This segmentation maintains measurement precision within each group while significantly reducing device complexity through resource sharing and consolidation.
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
The reconfigurable SPAD array achieves reduced power consumption and I/O bandwidth, along with enhanced flexibility in configuration and positioning, making it suitable for applications like LIDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) may consist of an array of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods relating to configurable silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) devices. An example device includes a substrate and a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) coupled to the substrate. The device also includes a plurality of outputs coupled to the substrate and a plurality of electrical components coupled to the substrate. The plurality of electrical components are configured to selectively connect the plurality of SPADs to the plurality of outputs by selecting which output of the plurality of outputs is connected to each SPAD of the plurality of SPADs and to thereby define a plurality of SiPMs in the device such that each SiPM of the plurality of SiPMs comprises a respective set of one or more SPADs connected to a respective output of the plurality of outputs.