Correlated time-of-flight sensor
US11029397B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 2, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/894
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor includes a light source structured to emit light and a plurality of avalanche photodiodes. The TOF sensor also includes a plurality of pulse generators, where individual pulse generators are coupled to individual avalanche photodiodes in the plurality of avalanche photodiodes. Control circuitry is coupled to the light source, the plurality of avalanche photodiodes, and the plurality of pulse generators, to perform operations. Operations may include emitting the light from the light source, and receiving the light reflected from an object with the plurality of avalanche photodiodes. In response to receiving the light with the plurality of avalanche photodiodes, a plurality of pulses may be output from the individual pulse generators corresponding to the individual photodiodes that received the light. And, in response to outputting the plurality of pulses, a timing signal may be output when the plurality of pulses overlap temporally.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.