Abstract: An optical distance measurement apparatus that measures a distance using a round-trip time of light to an object includes an irradiator, a plurality of SPADs, a plurality of signal output units, a response number detector, a timing identifier, and a timing corrector. The response number detector detects a response number representing the number of responding one of the SPADs based on a pulse signal. The timing identifier identifies a temporary timing based on a state of variation in the response number along a time series and identifies a detection timing representing a timing when the optical distance measurement apparatus detects light in accordance with the temporary timing. The timing corrector acquires a correction time representing a time difference between the temporary timing and a true timing corresponding to a distance to an object and sets a timing corrected from the temporary timing by the correction time as the detection timing.

Abstract: A slope detection device includes a structure provided with a spherical surface, multiple optical sensors provided on a spherical surface of the structure in a manner that face different directions, the optical sensors measuring a quantity of sunlight, an optical sensor receiving unit receiving output information of each of the optical sensors, a time providing unit providing calendar information on a date and a time when the output information is received, and an operation unit configured to analysis an incidence angle of the sunlight from the collected pieces of the output information, calculate a horizontal coordinate system from the analyzed incidence angle of the sunlight, the calendar information, and a sun path equation, and calculate a three-dimensional slope information for a current location in comparison with the horizontal coordinate system.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a pixel region and a shield region. The pixel region includes a first microlens array that includes microlenses arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The shield region surrounds the pixel region and includes a second microlens array formed in a shape that is obtained when the first microlens array is rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A solid-state image capturing element includes a pair of first floating diffusion layers arranged in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction and a pair of second floating diffusion layers arranged in the perpendicular direction and adjacent to the pair of first floating diffusion layers in the predetermined direction. The element includes a first connection circuit configured to select at least one of the pair of first floating diffusion layers and to connect the selected first floating diffusion layer to a predetermined first wire; a second connection circuit configured to select at least one of the pair of second floating diffusion layers and to connect the selected second floating diffusion layer to the first wire; and an output circuit configured to output a signal according to an amount of charge of at least one of the pair of first floating diffusion layers or the pair of second floating diffusion layers.

Abstract: An optical device comprises at least one printed circuit board, the printed circuit board includes an electronic image-capture circuit, a lens holder comprising at least one optical lens, the lens holder comprising a wall forming a cavity extending along the optical axis of the device from its top end to its bottom end, the bottom end being mounted on the rigid printed circuit board so as to align, along the optical axis of the device, the electronic image-capture circuit and the optical lens, a flexible heater band arranged in contact with the wall of the lens holder and around the wall of the lens holder, the heater band comprising an electrical connection interface electrically connected to at least one rigid printed circuit board of the optical device.

Abstract: Provided is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device. The LIDAR device includes: a light source configured to emit a first light beam; a photodetector configured to detect a second light beam, the second light beam being a reflected or scattered light beam of the first light beam reflected or scattered by an object; a diverging member comprising a reflective material configured to diverge the first light beam in various directions by rotating about a rotation axis; and a converging member including an optical element including one or more of a refractive and/or reflective material configured to converge the second light beam from the object and configured to cause the second light beam to be incident on the photodetector.

Abstract: A light detection apparatus has an array of first light detectors arranged at a first interval and configured to convert reception light into first signals, second light detectors having a first crosstalk rate and configured to convert reception light into second signals, wherein surfaces of the second light detectors are shielded from light, third light detectors having a second crosstalk rate different from the first crosstalk rate and configured to convert reception light into third signals, wherein surfaces of the third light detectors are shielded from light, and control circuitry configured to control an operation point of the array based on the second signals and the third signals.

Abstract: An image sensing device is disclosed. The image sensor includes a stacked air grid including a plurality of air layers that is physically isolated from each other and then stacked, and a color filter disposed at one side of the stacked air grid.

Abstract: Light signals are converted into first electric signals by a first group of light-receiving elements, and the light signals are additionally converted into second electrical signals by a second group of light-receiving elements. The second group has a lower degree of sensitivity for converting the photons into an electric current than the first group. The first electric signals are used to ascertain the distance to an object by means of a time-correlated photon counting process depending on a starting time for the emission of the light signals. Furthermore, the second electric signals are used to determine the distance depending on the starting time but using a second signal processing different from the process used for the first electric signals.

Abstract: An optical sensor uses a MEMS MMA to scan a narrow laser beam over a transmit FOR to provide active illumination and to correct the beam profile (e.g., collimate the beam, reduce chromatic aberrations, correct the beam profile or wavefront). A staring detector senses light within a receive FOR that at least partially overlaps the transmit FOR. By completely eliminating the dual-axis gimbal, this sensor architecture greatly reduces the volume and weight of the optical sensor while avoiding the deficiencies of known systems associated with either fiber or free-space coupling of the laser beam into an existing receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a detection circuit for a laser fault injection attack on a chip and a security chip. The detection circuit includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a first switch, a second switch, a photosensitive element, a first NMOS transistor, and a second NMOS transistor. A drain of the first NMOS transistor is configured to output a first voltage signal, and a drain of the second NMOS transistor is configured to output a second voltage signal. The first voltage signal and the second voltage signal are configured to indicate that the chip is attacked by laser fault injection, thereby realizing detection of the laser fault injection attack, and ensuring the robustness and security of the chips.

Abstract: There is provided an optical encoder including an encoding medium and a substrate. The encoding medium has a relative movement with respect to the substrate in a predetermined direction. The substrate includes an index photodiode and two control photodiodes. The index photodiode is arranged between the two control photodiodes along the predetermined direction. The output signals of the two control photodiodes are for controlling ON/OFF of gain regulation on an output signal of the index photodiode so as to turn on the gain regulation within an interval during which the index photodiode does not generate an index pulse but to turn off the gain regulation within an interval during which the index photodiode generates the index pulse.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring a depletion state of a sacrificial anode. The system includes a light emitter that is configured to emit a light beam and an optical receiver positioned to receive the light beam. A sacrificial anode is located between the light emitter and the optical receiver in a pathway of the light beam, the sacrificial anode being electrically coupled to a metallic structure for the purpose of minimizing corrosion of the metallic structure. Absent a presence of the sacrificial anode in the pathway of the light beam, the optical receiver is configured to receive the light beam, and in response to receiving the light beam, to generate an electrical signal indicative of the depletion state of the sacrificial anode.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided and includes an image sensor including a first unit pixel including a first micro-lens and a plurality of first photodiodes facing each other with a first color filter interposed between the plurality of first photodiodes, and a second unit pixel including a second micro-lens and a plurality of second photodiodes facing each other with a second color filter interposed between the plurality of second photodiodes, a camera module including the image sensor, and a processor operatively connected with the image sensor. The first unit pixel includes a first photodiode, a second photodiode, a third photodiode, and a fourth photodiode, which are disposed in a square shape such that a horizontal number of photodiodes is identical to a vertical number of photodiodes.

Abstract: A photon detection device having a high light detection efficiency. The photon detection device includes a first light reception part which receives a gate signal and outputs a first signal; a second light reception part which receives a gate signal and outputs a second signal; and a determination part which determines whether or not a photon is received, on the basis of the first signal from the first light reception part and the second signal from the second light reception part. The photon is incident on the first light reception part among the first light reception part and the second light reception part, and the breakdown voltage of the second light reception part is higher than the breakdown voltage of the first light reception part.

Abstract: An imaging device may include single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). To improve the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of the SPADs, light scattering structures may be formed in the semiconductor substrate to increase the path length of incident light through the semiconductor substrate. To mitigate crosstalk, an isolation structure may be formed in a ring around the SPAD. The isolation structure may be a hybrid isolation structure with both a metal filler that absorbs light and a low-index filler that reflects light. The isolation structure may be formed as a single trench or may include a backside deep trench isolation portion and a front side deep trench isolation portion. The isolation structure may also include a color filtering material.

Abstract: A receiving arrangement for receiving light signals and a method for receiving light signals are proposed, wherein a light receiver is provided, which serves for receiving the light signals and converting them into electrical signals. Furthermore, an evaluation circuit is provided, which, depending on the electrical signals and a start signal for the emission of the light signals, determines a distance between the receiving arrangement and an object at which the light signals are reflected. A characterizing feature is that the light receiver has a first group of light-receiving elements, which has a higher sensitivity for receiving the light signals than at least one further group of light-receiving elements, wherein the first and the further groups are ready for reception at different times.

Abstract: A reflective optical encoder has a hub member mounted on a rotation shaft, and a circular scale plate fixed to the hub member by an adhesive and having, on a front surface thereof, a pattern composed of high reflection portions having a high light reflectance and low reflection portions having a low light reflectance. Further, a step is provided at an outer peripheral portion of the hub member, and an outer diameter of the scale plate is larger than an outer diameter at an outermost peripheral portion of an adhesive surface of the hub member in which the scale plate and the hub member are bonded.

Abstract: A LIDAR device for detecting an object comprising a transmitter unit having at least one laser for emitting at least one laser beam; and a receiver unit for receiving laser light that was reflected by the object. The transmitter unit further has at least one beam replication unit for replicating the at least one laser beam to form at least two replicated beams.

Abstract: In a signal processing device, a branch section generates, from an input signal which is a current signal, a plurality of branch signals that are proportional to the input signal and have different signal intensities, and supplies the plurality of branch signals to respective different individual paths. A selection section selects one of the plurality of individual paths and outputs a signal supplied through the selected individual path. A determination section determines whether in each of the plurality of individual paths, a magnitude of a signal supplied to the selection section is in a preset allowable range. A control section causes the selection section to select the individual path having a highest gain among the individual paths in which the magnitude of the signal is determined by the determination section to be in the allowable range.