Multi-mode photodetector
US8822900B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A photodetector includes a photodiode and output circuitry coupled to the photodiode. The photodetector is configurable for operation in at least two modes. A first configurable mode operates the photodetector as an integrating sensor. In this first mode, a bias voltage across the photodiode is set below the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an analog integration output voltage from the photodiode. A second configurable mode operates the photodetector as a single photon avalanche detector. In this second mode, the bias voltage across the photodiode is set above the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an avalanche output voltage.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.