Abstract: Accordingly, the present invention is directed to providing methods and apparatus for detecting light energy in real-time while minimizing the effects of background charge accrual on the charge-coupled device. Exemplary embodiments provide relatively fast electronic shuttering and exposure control to minimize accrual of unwanted background illumination. Further, exemplary embodiments can be operated at relatively high speeds without increasing the complexity of electronics used to drive the charge-coupled device or process information produced by the charge-coupled device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for accurately detecting light energy of a signal of interest (e.g., a laser pulse) even when the signal-to-noise ratio is relatively low. The present invention is further directed to accurate detection of a signal of interest even when either or both the signal of interest and background illumination vary across plural pixels of an imaging an array. For example, a signal of interest can be accurately detected even in the presence of pixel response non-uniformity and fixed pattern noise, or when the incident signal of interest is not confined laterally to a single pixel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing a charge-coupled device which can provide accurate signal detection while providing high speed electronic exposure control or shuttering. Exemplary embodiments can maintain charge transfer efficiency at a relatively high level even if a pixel array of the charge-coupled device is clocked rapidly (i.e., exposure control or shuttering speed is increased) for a given pixel pitch.