Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus for compacting an object onto a rigid tool by applying a negative pressure while the scroll of material overlays the object. The apparatus comprises one or more spindles and a scroll of material that is stored on the one or more spindles. The scroll of material comprises a permeable layer and an impermeable membrane wherein the impermeable membrane contacts the permeable layer and may extend beyond a perimeter of the permeable layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for photodetection having parallax compensation for near and far object signal return. In embodiment, a photoreceiver comprising a at least one light-sensitive pixel to transduce light to electrical signals has at least a first one of the pixels including a first subpixel region having a first light response characteristic and a second subpixel region having a second light response characteristic, wherein the first and second light characteristics are configured to correspond to variations in intensity of reflected light from objects at different distances when the portion of the reflected light reaching the first one of the pixels imaged onto the first and second subpixel regions.

Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optical detection having fast recovery from high amplitude input signals. In embodiments, a LIDAR system includes a photoreceiver to receive a return signal, and a circuit to modulate a gain of the photoreceiver over an acquisition window for the return signal, wherein the acquisition window contains time T0, and wherein the gain at time T0 is at a minimum for the acquisition window. In embodiments, the time T0 is at the beginning of the acquisition window.

Abstract: Split-detector lidar photoreceivers are described which utilize range-dependent focus to transition from illuminating two detector elements with returns from near targets, within a close-range threshold distance, to illuminating just one detector element for all other returns. In some examples, a split-detector can have or include a “bullseye” (concentric) detector configuration. Because two separate detector elements with separate amplifier chains are used, one channel can be optimized for the strong to and near-target returns, while another channel can be optimized and used for all other returns.

Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus for compacting an object onto a rigid tool by applying a negative pressure while the scroll of material overlays the object. The apparatus comprises one or more spindles and a scroll of material that is stored on the one or more spindles. The scroll of material comprises a permeable layer and an impermeable membrane wherein the impermeable membrane contacts the permeable layer and may extend beyond a perimeter of the permeable layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compacting objects onto tools. One embodiment is a method for compacting an object onto a rigid tool. The method includes placing an object onto a surface of a rigid tool, disposing an end effector over the object, spreading linkages of the end effector, causing a scroll of material between the linkages to be disposed atop the object while surrounding the object, and applying a negative pressure to the scroll that offsets air leaks between the scroll and the object, thereby forming a suction hold that compacts the object onto the rigid tool.

Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a detector system having a photodetector and an amplifier to amplify the photodetector signal. A discriminator generates an active output signal when the output from the amplifier is greater than a threshold. An injection circuit is coupled to the input of the amplifier. The injection circuit is configured to selectively inject a test pulse that mimics a pulse from the photodetector for verifying operation of the detector system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing signal return of photons reflected by a target illuminated by laser energy using at least one threshold. Parameters of pulses in the signal return exceeding one or more thresholds can be stored in memory. Example parameters include time of flight (ToF) and a time over threshold (ToT).

Abstract: An initial set of parameters for operating one or more detection tools is automatically derived and subsequently adjusted so that each detection tool is more or less sensitive to signal characteristics in a region of interest. Detection tool(s) may be applied to physiological signals sensed from a patient (such as EEG signals) and may be configured to run in an implanted medical device that is programmable with the parameters to look for rhythmic activity, spiking, and power changes in the sensed signals, etc. A detection tool may be selected and parameter values derived in a logical sequence and/or in pairs based on a graphical representation of an activity type which may be selected by a user, for example, by clicking and dragging on the graphic via a GUI. Displayed simulations allow a user to assess what will be detected with a derived parameter set and then to adjust the sensitivity of the set or start over as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a system including an optic to receive light from near objects and far objects and a photoreceiver optically coupled to the optic, the photoreceiver including a photodetector array. A light scattering structure is positioned a distance from the photodetector array to compensate for parallax effects for the received energy from the near objects and the far objects. The light scattering structure is configured to scatter light onto pixels of the photodetector array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for photodetection having parallax compensation for near and far object signal return. In embodiment, a photoreceiver comprising a at least one light-sensitive pixel to transduce light to electrical signals has at least a first one of the pixels including a first subpixel region having a first light response characteristic and a second subpixel region having a second light response characteristic, wherein the first and second light characteristics are configured to correspond to variations in intensity of reflected light from objects at different distances when the portion of the reflected light reaching the first one of the pixels imaged onto the first and second subpixel regions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits provide delay-locked loop (DLL) timing error mitigation. A DLL false-lock detection system can include DLL circuitry configured to receive a reference clock signal having a time period. The system can include shift register circuitry and latched comparison circuitry which can determine a time period of a locked condition of the DLL delay line with respect to the reference clock signal time period. The system can determine whether the system is correctly locked to the base time period or incorrectly locked to a multiple of the base time period. A further system can operate to cause a phase detector circuitry in a DLL to ignore the first edge of a reference clock signal presented to the phase detector circuitry and thereby avoid stuck-lock conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel background current injection tests for lidar systems are described. Systems, methods, and circuits for electrical pixel timing pulse current injection tests for lidar systems are further described. Systems, methods, and circuits for or pixel photodiode health checking/testing using on-chip bias adjustment and passive photo-current imaging circuitry for lidar systems are also described. Embodiments can be used for specification of an Application Safety Integration Level (ASIL) in compliance with a safety standard such as ISO 26262 or the like.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an arrayed time to digital converter (TDC) having matched delay line sampling. In embodiments, a TDC includes a coarse counter circuit to provide an event coarse timing measurement for an event, a coarse counter delivery network to deliver a count value in the coarse counter circuit to a memory storage element circuit, and an array of matched delay lines to provide an event fine timing measurement to the memory storage element circuit. An array of event sample signal generators can generate signals for the event and an array of encoders can encode fine timing measurement information from the memory storage element circuit, where an output of the encoder and the event coarse timing measurement information provide a timestamp for the event. A global delay-locked loop can incorporate a matched delay line coupled to the array of matched delay lines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for nonuniformity correction (NUC) for a sensor having an avalanche photodiode (APD) array and an integrated circuit. The sensor can include anode bias control module, a passive mode module, and an active mode module. DC photocurrent from the APD array can be measured and used for controlling an anode reverse bias voltage to each element in the APD to achieve a nonuniformity correction level less than a selected threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a detector system having a photodetector and an amplifier to amplify the photodetector signal. A discriminator generates an active output signal when the output from the amplifier is greater than a threshold. An injection circuit is coupled to the input of the amplifier. The injection circuit is configured to selectively inject a test pulse that mimics a pulse from the photodetector for verifying operation of the detector system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for nonuniformity correction (NUC) for a sensor having an avalanche photodiode (APD) array and an integrated circuit. The sensor can include anode bias control module, a passive mode module, and an active mode module. DC photocurrent from the APD array can be measured and used for controlling an anode reverse bias voltage to each element in the APD to achieve a nonuniformity correction level less than a selected threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an arrayed time to digital converter (TDC) having matched delay line sampling. In embodiments, a TDC includes a coarse counter circuit to provide an event coarse timing measurement for an event, a coarse counter delivery network to deliver a count value in the coarse counter circuit to a memory storage element circuit, and an array of matched delay lines to provide an event fine timing measurement to the memory storage element circuit. An array of event sample signal generators can generate signals for the event and an array of encoders can encode fine timing measurement information from the memory storage element circuit, where an output of the encoder and the event coarse timing measurement information provide a timestamp for the event. A global delay-locked loop can incorporate a matched delay line coupled to the array of matched delay lines.