Abstract: A time-of-flight (ToF) image sensor system includes a pixel array, where each pixel of the pixel array is configured to receive a reflected modulated light signal and to demodulate the reflected modulated light signal to generate an electrical signal; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), where each ADC is coupled to at least one assigned pixel of the pixel array and is configured to convert a corresponding electrical signal generated by the at least one assigned pixel into an actual pixel value; and a binning circuit coupled to the plurality of ADCs and configured to generate at least one interpolated pixel, where the binning circuit is configured to generate each of the at least one interpolated pixel based on actual pixel values corresponding to a different pair of adjacent pixels of the pixel array, each of the at least one interpolated pixel having a virtual pixel value.

Abstract: Provided is a non-mechanical-scanning-type optical radar apparatus that is capable of long distance measurement and its cost is reduced. The optical radar apparatus includes: a light emitting section; and a light receiving system, the light receiving system at least including a focusing optical element and a distance sensor that includes a light receiver, the target field of view being projected on the light receiver through the focusing optical element, the distance sensor being configured to set an activation region in a part of the light receiver depending on the scanning with the light and measure a distance to the object with use of a signal from the activation region.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an adaptive, free-space optical system. The system may have a controller and a digital micromirror (DMM) array responsive to the controller. The digital micromirror may include a plurality of independently controllable micromirror elements forming a receiver for receiving optical signals from an environmental scene. At least two of the plurality of independently controllable micromirror elements are steerable in different directions to receive optical signals emanating from two or more locations within the environmental scene. A beam steering subsystem forms a portion of the micromirror array and is in communication with the controller for receiving control signals from the controller. A detector is used to receive an incoming free space optical signal imaged by at least one of the micromirror elements.

Abstract: An imaging device having a semiconductor substrate that includes a first photoelectric converter, and a second photoelectric converter adjacent to the first photoelectric converter. The imaging device further includes a capacitive element one end of which is coupled to the first photoelectric converter, where the first capacitive element at least partly overlaps, in a plan view, with the second photoelectric converter.

Abstract: An image sensor including: a substrate which has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein each of the pixels includes a photodiode; a multi-wiring layer arranged on the first surface of the substrate; a color filter layer arranged on the second surface of the substrate and including color filters that respectively correspond to the pixels; and a lens layer arranged on the color filter layer and including a double-sided spherical lens, wherein the double-sided spherical lens includes at least two material layers having different refractive indexes.

Abstract: A moiré pattern imaging device includes a light-transmitting film and an optical sensor. The light-transmitting film includes a plurality of microlenses, and a light-incident surface and a light-exit surface opposite to each other. The plurality of microlenses are disposed on the light-incident surface, the light-exit surface or a combination thereof, and the plurality of microlenses are arranged in two dimensions to form a microlens array. The optical sensor includes a photosurface. The photosurface faces the light-exit surface of the light-transmitting film, the photosurface is provided with a plurality of pixels, and the plurality of pixels are arranged in two dimensions to form a pixel array. The microlens array and the pixel array correspondingly form a moiré pattern effect to produce an imaging magnification effect, and the photosurface of the optical sensor senses light and forms a moiré pattern magnification image.

Abstract: A time-of-flight ranging device suitable for indirect time-of-flight ranging is provided. The time-of-flight ranging device includes a light emitting module, a first sensing pixel, a second sensing pixel, a differential readout circuit, and a processing circuit. The light emitting module emits a light pulse to a sensing target, so that the sensing target reflects a reflected light pulse. The first sensing pixel generates a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal. The second sensing pixel generates a third sensing signal and a fourth sensing signal. The differential readout circuit generates first digital data according to the first sensing signal and the third sensing signal and generates second digital data according to the second sensing signal and the fourth sensing signal. The processing circuit calculates a distance between the time-of-flight ranging device and the sensing target according to the first digital data and the second digital data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels and photo gate controller circuitry. Each pixel may transmit a pixel signal, corresponding to a photoelectric signal, in response to a photo gate signal in a frame. The photo gate controller circuitry may generate photo gate signals and transmit photo gate signals to the pixels. The photo gate controller circuitry includes a first delay circuit configured to transmit first delay clock signals each being delayed with respect to a reference clock signal by a certain amount of time and a second delay circuit configured to transmit second delay clock signals each being delayed with respect to the reference clock signal by a certain amount of time. The pixels are each configured to selectively receive signals, as the photo gate signals, among the delay clock signals output from the first delay circuit and the delay clock signals output from the second delay circuit.

Abstract: Provided are an optical image capturing unit and an electronic device. The optical image capturing unit includes: an optical converging device; a diaphragm disposed on a back focal plane of the optical converging device, where the diaphragm is provided with a window; and a photosensing unit disposed under the diaphragm, where the optical converging device is configured to converge an optical signal within a specific incident angle range to the window, and the optical signal is transmitted to the photosensing unit via the window.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor includes a splitting element configured to split an incident light beam into a plurality of light beams, an image sensor configured to receive the plurality of light beams, and a processing unit configured to calculate a wavefront of the incident light beam based on an intensity distribution of the plurality of light beams received by the image sensor. The splitting element is either in direct contact with the image sensor or in contact with the image sensor via a plate glass. In the calculation of the wavefront, the processing unit corrects a relative positional deviation between the splitting element and the image sensor by calculating a rotation about a rotation axis.

Abstract: A single photon avalanche diode includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate having a base substrate, a buried oxide layer over the base substrate, and a silicon layer over the buried oxide layer. At least one photodiode region is disposed in the base substrate. The photodiode region comprises an epitaxial layer embedded in the base substrate.

Abstract: A configuration is simplified of an imaging element including a polarizing unit that transmits light in a specific polarization direction. The imaging element includes a polarizing unit, a photoelectric conversion unit, a first charge holding unit, an image signal generation unit, and a second charge holding unit. The photoelectric conversion unit includes a conductive member and transmits the light in the specific polarization direction of incident light. The photoelectric conversion unit generates charge by photoelectric conversion based on the light transmitted through the polarizing unit. The first charge holding unit holds the charge generated. The image signal generation unit generates an image signal depending on the charge held in the first charge holding unit. The second charge holding unit includes the conductive member of the polarizing unit as an electrode, and holds the charge generated.