Sensor Device Multiplexer Circuit for Optical Alignment and Field-of-View Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensor devices face challenges in reducing optical misalignment during assembly, which is costly and power-intensive, and require high-resolution sensors for customizable field-of-view adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A multiplexer circuit is implemented between photodetectors and time-to-digital converters, allowing for electronic adjustment of the optical center and customizable subarray formation, reducing the need for expensive optical alignment steps and high-resolution sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If sophisticated optical alignment steps are used during manufacturing, then optical misalignment is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical alignment systems with an electronic/software-based solution. A processor determines the actual optical center from captured images and calculates offset values, substituting physical alignment mechanisms with computational methods. This eliminates the need for sophisticated optical alignment steps during manufacturing while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being controlled from physical lens position to digital offset values. Instead of adjusting the physical optical center through mechanical means, the system captures images, determines the actual optical center coordinates, and applies digital offset corrections in software. This parameter transformation allows post-manufacturing alignment correction without expensive optical alignment equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high resolution sensors are used for customizable field-of-view, then field-of-view customization is achieved, but sensor cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sensor array into multiple zones, with each zone corresponding to a specific region of interest. Instead of requiring a high-resolution sensor to capture the entire FOV, the system divides the sensor into smaller segments that can be independently activated or configured. This segmentation allows FOV customization using a lower-resolution sensor, reducing cost while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic FOV configuration through software control. The processor can dynamically adjust which zones are active, modify zone boundaries, and reconfigure the sensor response based on application requirements. This dynamic adaptability replaces the need for fixed high-resolution sensors with flexible software-controlled zone configuration, reducing hardware costs while maintaining versatility.
3Measurement precision
If high resolution sensors are used for distance measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary zones of the sensor array based on the region of interest. Instead of using the entire high-resolution sensor array, the system determines which specific zones are needed for the current measurement task and activates only those zones. This partial activation maintains measurement precision for the area of interest while significantly reducing power consumption compared to full-array operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cropping is performed at the host to adjust field-of-view, then FOV customization is achieved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the sensor zones and offsets during manufacturing or initial setup. The processor determines the optical center and calculates zone offsets in advance, storing these parameters for rapid retrieval. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time cropping computations, reducing computational load while maintaining FOV adaptability through pre-calculated zone mappings.
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
This solution enables cost-effective reduction of optical misalignment and customizable field-of-view adjustments, improving time accuracy and reducing power consumption while maintaining high sensitivity and spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
A single-photon avalanche diode, or SPAD for short, is a solid-state photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device comprises an array of photodetectors. A multiplexer circuit is connected to the array of photodetectors and provides dedicated output paths for each photodetector in the array, respectively. Furthermore, the sensor device comprises at least one control terminal. An array of time-to-digital converters is connected to output terminals of the multiplexer circuit. Depending on a control signal to be applied at the at least one control terminal, the multiplexer circuit is arranged to electrically connect only the output paths of a subarray of photodetectors to the output terminals of the multiplexer circuit.