Light-to-frequency converter arrangement and method for light-to-frequency conversion
US11047733B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/446
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for light-to-frequency conversion comprises generating a photocurrent by means of a photodiode and converting the photocurrent into a digital comparator output signal in a charge balancing operation depending on a first clock signal. From the digital comparator output signal an asynchronous count is determined and comprises an integer number of counts depending on the first clock signal. From the digital comparator output signal a fractional time count is determined and depends on a second clock signal. Finally, from the asynchronous count and from the fractional time count a digital output signal is calculated which is indicative of the photocurrent generated by the photodiode. The method may be carried out by an exemplary light-to-frequency converter equipped with a photodiode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.