Abstract: Calibration of a radiometry system uses a readout circuit of a photo-detector to provide first and second measurements collected over first and second integration times, respectively, where the first and second measurements are related to a photonic input to the photo-detector by a gain and a bias. First mean and variance values are computed for a plurality of first measurements. Second mean and variance values are computed for a plurality of second measurements. The gain and bias are determined from the first and second mean values and the first and second variance values without the use of a calibrated source. The rate of photonic input to the photo-detector and the variance of noise added in the readout circuit may also be determined.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 18, 2018
Date of Patent:
June 2, 2020
Assignee:
The Government of the United States as Represented by the Secretary of the United States
Inventors:
Adrian M. Catarius, Nicholas Yielding, Stephen C. Cain, Michael Dan Seal