Optical analog to digital converter and method
US9176361B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 2, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 2, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/361
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical analog to digital converter including a light source, a driver, an array of single photon avalanche diodes, and control circuitry. The light source emits photons. The driver receives an analog input signal and to drive the light source on the basis of the analog input signal. The array of single photon avalanche diodes detects the photons provided by the light source. The control circuitry is coupled to the array of single photon avalanche diodes and activates the array of single photon avalanche diodes for a predetermined time interval such that the array of single photon avalanche diodes detects the photons provided by the light source during the predetermined time interval. The control circuitry further determines the number of single photon avalanche diodes of the array of single photon avalanche diodes which detected a photon during the predetermined time interval.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.