Detection pixels and pixel systems
A pixel system for an imaging device can include one or more pixels comprising a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages, a timer system forming part of and/or connected to the one or more pixels, the timer system comprising one or more trigger switches. The pulse trigger assembly can be configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold values. The pixel system can include a time-of-flight (TOF) module operatively connected to the one or more pixels and/or the timer system to determine a TOF based on an output from the timer system while simultaneously performing either or both passive imaging and asynchronous laser pulse detection.
1. A pixel system for an imaging device, comprising:
one or more pixels, at least one pixel of the one or more pixels comprising a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages;
a timer system forming part of the one or more pixels, the timer system comprising one or more trigger switches, wherein the pulse trigger assembly is configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold voltages; and
a time-of-flight (TOF) module operatively connected to the one or more pixels and/or the timer system and configured to determine a TOF based on an output from the timer system;
wherein the timer system includes at least one voltage ramp configured to allow the TOF module to determine the TOF based on a voltage value of the at least one voltage ramp that changes over time; and
wherein the TOF module is configured to determine the TOF without recording a time of detection of the pulse at the one or more threshold voltages.
2. The pixel system of claim 1 , wherein the timer system includes one or more analog-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive the voltage value from the at least one voltage ramp when the one or more trigger switches are activated by the pulse.
3. The pixel system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more pixels include:
a voltage buffer connected to the at least one voltage ramp;
a column buffer connected to each of the one or more ADCs; and
a ramp capacitor connected to the column buffer; and
wherein the one or more trigger switches are disposed between each column buffer and the voltage buffer.
4. The pixel system of claim 3 , wherein the pulse trigger assembly includes:
a diode;
an amplifier connected to the diode and configured to receive a voltage therefrom;
one or more high-pass filters connected to the amplifier;
a comparator for each of the one or more threshold voltages; and
a voltage threshold trigger line connecting a respective comparator to a respective trigger switch of the one or more trigger switches.
5. The pixel system of claim 4 , wherein the pulse trigger assembly includes one or more TOF mode switches configured to selectively allow the one or more trigger switches to be operated.
6. The pixel system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more trigger switches include a first trigger switch and a second trigger switch connected to a first comparator and a second comparator, respectively, and configured to be activated at a first threshold voltage of the pulse and a second threshold voltage of the pulse, respectively.
7. The pixel system of claim 6 , wherein:
the one or more TOF mode switches include a first TOF switch and a second TOF switch;
in a first TOF mode, the first TOF switch is activated such that the first trigger switch is able to be activated; and
in a second TOF mode, the second TOF switch is activated such that the second trigger switch is able to be activated.
8. The pixel system of claim 7 , wherein the pulse trigger assembly includes an asynchronous laser pulse detection (ALPD) system selectively connected to the voltage threshold trigger line via an ALPD mode switch.
9. The pixel system of claim 8 , wherein:
the ALPD system is connected between the first comparator and the first TOF switch; and
the first TOF switch is connected between the first comparator and the first trigger switch.
10. The pixel system of claim 9 , wherein the second TOF switch is connected between the amplifier and the second comparator.
11. The pixel system of claim 9 , wherein:
the one or more pixels include a passive imaging system connected to the diode; and
the passive imaging system includes at least one passive imaging mode switch configured to allow a passive imaging signal from the diode to be output to at least one of the one or more ADCs in a passive imaging mode.
12. The pixel system of claim 11 , wherein:
the one or more pixels are configured such that the passive imaging mode is able to be activated with the first TOF mode but not with the second TOF mode; and
an ALPD mode is able to be activated with the passive imagine mode.
13. The pixel system of claim 7 , wherein the one or more pixels are configured such that the first TOF mode and the second TOF mode are activatable together to provide multi-threshold readings to allow the TOF module to reduce or eliminate one or more errors.
14. The pixel system of claim 12 , wherein the one or more high-pass filters include a single high-pass filter operatively connected to each comparator.
15. The pixel system of claim 14 , wherein the at least one voltage ramp is connected to a passive imaging line by a ramp switch in front of the voltage buffer.
16. A pixel, comprising:
a pulse trigger assembly configured to detect a pulse at one or more threshold voltages; and
a timer system comprising one or more trigger switches, wherein the pulse trigger assembly is configured to activate the one or more trigger switches in response to detecting the pulse at the one or more threshold voltages, wherein the timer system includes:
a voltage buffer configured to connect to at least one voltage ramp;
one or more column buffers configured to connect to one or more respective analog-digital converters (ADCs), wherein the one or more trigger switches are disposed between each column buffer and the voltage buffer; and
one or more ramp capacitors connected to each column buffer and configured to receive a voltage from the at least one voltage ramp;
wherein the pulse trigger assembly includes:
a diode;
an amplifier connected to the diode and configured to receive a voltage therefrom;
one or more high-pass filters connected to the amplifier;
a comparator for each of the one or more threshold voltages;
a voltage threshold trigger line connecting a respective comparator to a respective trigger switch of the one or more trigger switches; and
one or more time-of-flight (TOF) mode switches configured to selectively allow the one or more trigger switches to be operated, wherein the one or more trigger switches include a first trigger switch and a second trigger switch connected to a first comparator and a second comparator, respectively, and configured to be activated at a first threshold voltage of the pulse and a second threshold voltage of the pulse, respectively;
wherein a TOF of the pulse is based on the voltage of the at least one voltage ramp.
17. The pixel of claim 16 , wherein:
the one or more TOF mode switches include a first TOF switch and a second TOF switch;
in a first TOF mode, the first TOF switch is activated such that the first trigger switch is able to be activated; and
in a second TOF mode, the second TOF switch is activated such that the second trigger switch is able to be activated.
18. A method, comprising:
determining a time-of-flight (TOF) of an output signal by:
receiving a pulse at a pixel;
determining that the received pulse crossed a plurality of threshold voltages;
determining a single time value at which the pulse was received based on the crossing of the plurality of threshold voltages;
using a voltage ramp to compare an initial voltage to a ramp voltage at the single time value to determine a voltage difference; and
obtaining a TOF value by correlating the voltage difference based on correlation data, wherein the TOF value is determined without determining a time interval between the crossing of the plurality of threshold voltages.
19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising selecting a TOF multi-threshold mode.
20. The pixel system of claim 1 , wherein the timer system does not include a dedicated clock.