Optoelectronic Sensor Routing Layer for High-Frequency Depth Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors face limitations in achieving high depth resolution due to decreasing modulation contrast with increasing frequencies and are restricted by the transport speed of charge carriers, leading to inefficient use of light and reduced signal processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An optoelectronic sensor with an optical routing layer that alternately or sequentially supplies received light to sensor elements, allowing for effective demodulation and processing of higher modulation frequencies without blocking light, thereby enhancing optical efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image sensors with two electron wells are used for demodulation, then depth measurement capability is achieved, but modulation contrast decreases significantly with increasing frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is divided into multiple sensor elements grouped into sensor element groups, where each group processes light from a specific spatial region. The routing layer segments the light path to direct received light to specific sensor element groups in a time-multiplexed manner, enabling high-frequency demodulation without the modulation contrast degradation seen in conventional two-well pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing layer periodically switches the light path to different sensor element groups within each modulation period, alternating which group receives light at different time intervals. This periodic switching enables demodulation of high-frequency modulation signals while maintaining high modulation contrast, as the switching occurs at the modulation frequency rather than being limited by charge carrier transport speed.
2Measurement precision
If higher modulation frequencies are used to improve depth resolution, then measurement precision increases, but the transport speed of charge carriers becomes the limiting factor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical/physical charge carrier transport mechanism with an optical switching mechanism. Instead of relying on charge carriers to be transported and redirected within the sensor at high speeds, the routing layer uses optical switching to direct incoming light to different sensor element groups, eliminating the charge carrier transport speed limitation and enabling processing of much higher modulation frequencies.
3Measurement precision
If light blocking is used for demodulation, then modulation frequency can be increased, but a significant portion of received light is blocked and goes unused
Solution Approach 1:
The routing layer acts as an intermediary between the incoming light and the sensor elements, actively directing the light path to appropriate sensor groups without blocking the light. This intermediary approach allows all received light to be utilized by sequentially routing it to different sensor element groups, eliminating the light loss inherent in blocking-based demodulation methods while still enabling high-frequency operation.
4Device complexity
If conventional image sensors are used, then device complexity is low, but the usable modulation frequency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The routing layer is designed to work with conventional image sensor structures, making the system multi-functional by combining simple sensor elements with intelligent light routing. This universal approach allows standard sensor pixels to achieve high-frequency demodulation capabilities through the added routing layer, rather than requiring completely specialized sensor designs, thus balancing device complexity with enhanced modulation frequency capability.
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
Enables the processing of high modulation frequencies, such as 1 GHz and beyond, improving depth resolution and allowing for faster measurements without the need for specialized sensors, while maintaining high optical efficiency and reducing motion blur.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to convert a transmission signal into transmission light and to emit the transmission light into an environment
Implementation Method 2
the sensor elements are designed to convert received light into received signals
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor for distance measurement, comprising a light source configured to convert a transmitted signal into transmitted light and to emit the transmitted light into an environment. The optoelectronic sensor further comprises a light receiver that receives transmitted light reflected from objects in the environment as received light, wherein the light receiver has an optical routing layer, and wherein the light receiver has an image sensor with a plurality of sensor elements, the sensor elements being configured to convert received light into received signals, and wherein at least two sensor elements are part of a sensor element group, and wherein the routing layer is configured to supply the received light sequentially and/or alternately to the sensor elements of the sensor element group.The invention further relates to a method for a corresponding optoelectronic sensor and a method for manufacturing a corresponding optoelectronic sensor.