18522719. SiPM with Cells of Different Sizes simplified abstract (WAYMO LLC)

From WikiPatents
Jump to navigation Jump to search

SiPM with Cells of Different Sizes

Organization Name

WAYMO LLC

Inventor(s)

Caner Onal of Palo Alto CA (US)

Nirav Shailesh kumar Dharia of Milpitas CA (US)

SiPM with Cells of Different Sizes - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18522719 titled 'SiPM with Cells of Different Sizes

Simplified Explanation

The present disclosure relates to devices, light detection and ranging (lidar) systems, and vehicles involving solid-state, single photon detectors. An example device includes a substrate defining a primary plane and a plurality of photodetector cells disposed along the primary plane. The plurality of photodetector cells includes at least one large-area cell and at least one small-area cell. The large-area cell has a first area and the small-area cell has a second area, with the first area being greater than the second area. The device also includes read out circuitry coupled to the plurality of photodetector cells, configured to provide an output signal based on incident light detected by the cells.

  • Device includes substrate with photodetector cells along primary plane
  • Photodetector cells include large-area and small-area cells
  • Read out circuitry provides output signal based on detected light

Potential Applications

This technology can be applied in:

  • Autonomous vehicles for accurate distance measurement
  • Robotics for obstacle detection and avoidance
  • Security systems for perimeter monitoring

Problems Solved

This technology solves:

  • Improved accuracy in distance measurement
  • Enhanced performance in low-light conditions
  • Reduction in size and power consumption of lidar systems

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Higher resolution and sensitivity in detecting light
  • Increased efficiency in data processing
  • Enhanced reliability and durability in harsh environments

Potential Commercial Applications

The potential commercial applications of this technology include:

  • Automotive industry for advanced driver assistance systems
  • Aerospace industry for navigation and collision avoidance
  • Surveillance industry for perimeter security solutions

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be the use of traditional photodetectors in lidar systems. However, the integration of solid-state, single photon detectors with different area cells is a novel approach to improve performance and efficiency in light detection and ranging systems.

Unanswered Questions

How does this technology compare to traditional lidar systems in terms of accuracy and reliability?

This article does not provide a direct comparison between this technology and traditional lidar systems in terms of accuracy and reliability. Further research or testing may be needed to determine the specific advantages of this innovation over existing technologies.

What are the potential limitations or challenges in implementing this technology in real-world applications?

The article does not address any potential limitations or challenges in implementing this technology in real-world applications. Factors such as cost, scalability, and compatibility with existing systems could be important considerations that need to be explored further.


Original Abstract Submitted

The present disclosure relates to devices, light detection and ranging (lidar) systems, and vehicles involving solid-state, single photon detectors. An example device includes a substrate defining a primary plane and a plurality of photodetector cells disposed along the primary plane. The plurality of photodetector cells includes at least one large-area cell and at least one small-area cell. The large-area cell has a first area and the small-area cell has a second area and the first area is greater than the second area. The device also includes read out circuitry coupled to the plurality of photodetector cells. The read out circuitry is configured to provide an output signal based on incident light detected by the plurality of photodetector cells.