Radiation Detector Readout Circuit Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation detectors face challenges in efficiently reading out data, particularly in multiple energy imaging applications, where large data sets are generated, leading to longer readout periods and reduced scanning efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving radiation detectors with multiple pixels and readout circuits, where data is stored in registers and read out during specific low and high energy periods, reducing data volume and increasing scanning speed by only reading out radiation energy above certain thresholds, allowing for sparse data sampling and efficient handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple energy levels are read out during each readout period, then measurement precision is improved, but readout time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the readout process into distinct low energy readout periods and high energy readout periods. During low energy readout periods, only data from a single register above a low energy threshold is read out. During high energy readout periods, data above a higher energy threshold is read out. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple energy imaging capability while reducing the total readout time compared to reading out all energy levels simultaneously in each period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by alternating between low energy readout periods and high energy readout periods in a cyclic manner. This periodic switching allows the radiation detector to efficiently handle multiple energy levels over time, achieving both measurement precision and improved productivity compared to continuous full-energy readout.
2Loss of information
If all register data is read out during each readout period, then data completeness is improved, but data volume increases and readout time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and reads out only the necessary data from registers based on energy thresholds. During low energy readout periods, only data above the low energy threshold is extracted and read out. During high energy readout periods, only data above the higher energy threshold is extracted. This selective extraction reduces data volume and readout time while maintaining data completeness for the required energy ranges.
3Measurement precision
If multiple energy levels are imaged, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using the same readout circuits and registers to handle multiple energy levels. The readout circuits can operate in different modes (low energy readout or high energy readout) depending on the periodic cycle, making the device universal for multiple energy imaging applications without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each energy level.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reading out data in a radiation detector having pixels and associated readout circuits, which each have a register. After the pixels detect radiation, data indicative of the radiation is stored in the register(s) of each readout circuit, each time during a plurality of data acquisition periods. Data is read out from the register(s) of each readout circuit, each time during a plurality of readout periods. Each readout period follows a data acquisition period, and each readout period being either a low energy readout period or a high energy readout period. Only data from a single register of each readout circuit indicative of radiation energy above a low energy level is read out during each low energy readout period. Data indicative of radiation energy above a high energy level, higher than the low energy level, is read out during each high energy readout period.