Meta platforms technologies, llc (20240329213). SRAM BASED EVENT DRIVEN COMPACT HISTOGRAM ON PIXEL DIRECT TIME OF FLIGHT simplified abstract

SRAM BASED EVENT DRIVEN COMPACT HISTOGRAM ON PIXEL DIRECT TIME OF FLIGHT

Organization Name

meta platforms technologies, llc

Inventor(s)

Ali Mesgarani of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Augusto Ronchini Ximenes of Seattle WA (US)

Nishit Sumanbhai Patel of San Jose CA (US)

SRAM BASED EVENT DRIVEN COMPACT HISTOGRAM ON PIXEL DIRECT TIME OF FLIGHT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240329213 titled 'SRAM BASED EVENT DRIVEN COMPACT HISTOGRAM ON PIXEL DIRECT TIME OF FLIGHT

The system described in the patent application includes photon sensors, event registers, and an SRAM for storing photon-detection events.

• Photon sensors detect photons during an exposure window after a laser event.
• Event registers store the detected photon-detection events.
• SRAM, located under the photon sensors, contains memory cells associated with each sensor to store a histogram of photon-detection events.
• Each memory cell stores events detected during a specific time period after the laser event.
• An in-memory incrementor updates the memory cells based on the photon-detection events by incrementing event counts stored in the cells.

Potential Applications: - Scientific research in photon detection and analysis - Imaging technologies requiring precise photon detection - Laser-based systems for various industries

Problems Solved: - Efficient storage and analysis of photon-detection events - Real-time updating of event counts for accurate data processing

Benefits: - Enhanced accuracy in photon detection - Improved data storage and analysis capabilities - Faster processing of photon-detection events

Commercial Applications: Title: Advanced Photon Detection System for Research and Imaging Technologies This technology can be utilized in research institutions, medical imaging facilities, and industrial settings for high-precision photon detection and analysis.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the in-memory incrementor improve the efficiency of updating event counts in the memory cells? 2. What are the potential limitations of using this system in high-speed photon detection applications?

Original Abstract Submitted

in one embodiment, a system may comprise a plurality of photon sensors for detecting photons, a plurality of event registers for storing photon-detection events detected by the plurality of photon sensors during an exposure window after a laser event, and an sram disposed under the plurality of photon sensors. the sram may comprise a plurality of memory cells associated with each photon sensor of the plurality of photon sensors to store a histogram of photon-detection events. each memory cell may store photon-detection events detected during a predetermined time period after the laser event. the sram may comprise an in-memory incrementor to update the plurality of memory cells based on the photon-detection events. the in-memory incrementor may read an event count stored in a selected one of the plurality of memory cells, increment the event count, and write the incremented event count back to the selected memory cell.