US Patent Application 18337064. Configurable array of single-photon detectors simplified abstract
Contents
Configurable array of single-photon detectors
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Configurable array of single-photon detectors - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- This abstract for appeared for US patent application number 18337064 Titled 'Configurable array of single-photon detectors'
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a method for optical sensing that involves sending a series of light pulses towards a target scene and capturing the reflected light using an array of single-photon detectors. These detectors produce electrical pulses in response to the incoming photons. The electrical pulses are then counted in different time intervals that are synchronized with the light pulses. The time intervals include a first and second interval with different delays relative to the light pulses. The delays are varied over a sequence of different delay times during the series of light pulses. By comparing the counts of electrical pulses in the first and second intervals, the time it takes for the light pulses to travel to the target scene and back (time of flight) can be calculated.
Original Abstract Submitted
A method for optical sensing includes directing a series of optical pulses toward a target scene and imaging optical radiation that is reflected from the target scene onto an array of single-photon detectors, which output electrical pulses in response to photons that are incident thereon. The electrical pulses output by the single photon detectors are counted in multiple different gating intervals that are synchronized with each of the optical pulses, including at least first and second gating intervals at different, respective delays relative to the optical pulses, while the delays are swept over a sequence of different delay times during the series of the optical pulses. A time of flight of the optical pulses is computed by comparing respective first and second counts of the electrical pulses that were accumulated in the first and second gating intervals over the series of the optical pulses.
