Designs and methods of multi-function digital readout integrated circuits with an embedded programmable gate array

US10681289B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• L3 CINCINNATI ELECTRONICS CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Nansheng Tang · Mason, US
• George Buritica · Cerritos, US
• Doug Droege · Mason, US
• Dave Forrai · Mason, US
• John Forsthoefel · Mason, US
• Mike Spicer · Mason, US
• Al Timlin · Mason, US
• Stefan C. Lauxtermann · Porta Westfalica, DE
• Edward S. Brinkman · Mason, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 25, 2019
• Grant date: Jun 9, 2020
• Expiry date: Apr 25, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F39/1575
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a ROIC with a plurality of unit cells coupled to a detector array having a plurality of detectors for collecting photoelectrons over a plurality of temporal instances. An individual unit cell is electrically coupled to an individual detector to have one-to-one correspondence and includes one or more storage elements coupled to one or more programmable logic control switches. The storage element(s) store signal charges representing the photoelectrons while the programmable logic control switch(es) direct the signal charges from the storage element(s) at an individual temporal instance. A configuration of signal charges in the plurality of unit cells is mathematically operated as a three-dimensional matrix having a plurality of elements, where the three dimensions correspond to the two spatial dimensions of an individual unit cell and the individual temporal instance, and an individual element has a value corresponding to the number of signal charges stored therein.