Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. The illumination source projects light (e.g., pulse of light) into the local area. The camera detects reflections of the projected light from objects in the local area. Using an internal gating selection procedure, the controller selects a gate window that is likely to be associated with reflection of a pulse of light from an object. The selected gate may be used for depth determination. The internal gating selection procedures may be achieved through external target location and selection or through internal self-selection.

Abstract: A photon detecting 3D imaging sensor device for detecting a distance information for pixels in an image includes an array of detector units. Each detector unit is configured to receive a light signal pulse and to provide a detection signal pulse on receipt of the light signal pulse. The 3D imaging device further includes a pulse selection unit including a decision tree with one or more stages. Each of the stages has one or more decision makers which are cascaded to propagate the earliest detection signal pulse of one of a respective detector unit as a timing signal. The 3D imaging device further includes a time-to-digital converter configured to receive the timing signal and to provide a time stamp depending on the timing signal. The time stamp indicates the distance information for a pixel of the image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system may comprise a plurality of photon sensors for detecting photons, a plurality of event registers for storing photon-detection events detected by the plurality of photon sensors during an exposure window after a laser event, and an SRAM disposed under the plurality of photon sensors. The SRAM may comprise a plurality of memory cells associated with each photon sensor of the plurality of photon sensors to store a histogram of photon-detection events. Each memory cell may store photon-detection events detected during a predetermined time period after the laser event. The SRAM may comprise an in-memory incrementor to update the plurality of memory cells based on the photon-detection events. The in-memory incrementor may read an event count stored in a selected one of the plurality of memory cells, increment the event count, and write the incremented event count back to the selected memory cell.

Abstract: Time-of-Flight (TOF) light pulses are emitted at a first temporal pulsing frequency and a second temporal pulsing frequency. ToF return signals are detected by a light detector of a ToF sensor and a wrapped histogram may be generated. As part of generating unwrapped histograms, a selected index may be identified to provide a ToF distance from ToF distances of the ToF return signals.

Abstract: A circuit may be configured to reduce current leakage. The circuit may include a bias generator, a charge interface, and a charge controller. The bias generator may be coupled to a first voltage source and configured to generate a first current and provide a first voltage. The charge interface may be communicatively coupled to the bias generator and configured to mirror the first current into a second current. The charge controller may be communicatively coupled to the charge interface and configured to receive the second current from the charge interface and provide a second voltage. The bias generator may be further configured to perform an ultra-low leakage switching operation in which the first voltage is switched to a third voltage while reducing a first possibility of band-band tunneling leakage at the charge interface.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method of operating an image sensor and a plurality of memory cells associated with the image sensor, each memory cell comprising: one or more input lines, a stop exposure output line; a storage capacitor; and a stop exposure circuit. The method may comprise, by each of the memory cells, sensing a voltage representing an exposure event in response to the input lines being enabled, and by a first one of the memory cells, enabling the stop exposure output line in response to a charge on the storage capacitor satisfying a charge threshold; and stopping further exposure of the image sensor in response to the stop exposure output line being enabled for the first one of the memory cells.

Abstract: Each pixel of a plurality of pixels captures a portion of outgoing light illuminating a local area reflected from the one or more objects in the local area. A flag is generated via a flag determination logic circuit coupled to each pixel of the plurality of pixels. The flag indicates whether the reflected light was captured within a threshold amount of time from a current time. A time to digital converter is enabled via a flag determination logic circuit. The time to digital converter is associated with each pixel of the plurality of pixels to generate a digital representation of time when each pixel of the plurality of pixels captured the reflected light. Depth information is determined for the one or more objects in the local area based in part on the generated flag and the digital representation of time.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: A projector for illuminating a target area is presented. The projector includes an array of emitters having a plurality of subarrays and an optical assembly. Each subarray includes one or more independently addressable channels emitting light in accordance with emission instructions. At least two of the subarrays are adjacent to each other and do not overlap. The optical assembly is configured to tile portions of the emitted light to form a light pattern for projection to a target area. The light pattern has a first plurality of sections and a second plurality of sections. Each section of the first plurality represents a first respective portion of the light pattern emitted from a corresponding subarray. Each section of the second plurality represents a second respective portion of the light pattern formed by tiling light emitted from two or more of the subarrays.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. In some embodiments, the controller uses previous image frames to determine confidence measurements, and selectively adjusts a number of pulses from the illuminator in a subsequent frame based on the determined confidence values. In some embodiments, the sensor uses autonomous gating, and the depth system includes a depth recovery pipeline which provide depth map estimates from the autonomous gated measurements.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. The illumination source projects light (e.g., pulse of light) into the local area. The camera detects reflections of the projected light from objects in the local area. The camera includes a detector where pixels are grouped into multiple macropixels that are coupled to an output bus. Specific macropixels from which information describing light detected by pixels in the specific macropixels is obtained. In come configurations, each macropixel includes a counter that is incremented based on detection of light by pixels in the macropixels. The counter may be used to select macropixels from which data is obtained.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. The illumination source projects light (e.g., pulse of light) into the local area. The camera detects reflections of the projected light from objects in the local area. Using an internal gating selection procedure, the controller selects a gate window that is likely to be associated with reflection of a pulse of light from an object. The selected gate may be used for depth determination. The internal gating selection procedures may be achieved through external target location and selection or through internal self-selection.

Abstract: A direct time of flight depth system includes an addressable illumination source, an active depth sensor, and a controller. The addressable illumination source includes an array of emitters and an optical assembly that is used to generate an array of dots emitted into a local area. Each emitter is independently addressable, allowing selective illumination of different portions of the local area. The addressable illumination source is aligned with the active depth sensor so each dot maps to a corresponding macropixel (e.g., 4×4 array of SPADs) on the active depth sensor. Data from the active depth sensor is readout and used to determine depth information.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) for multimode time-of-flight based depth sensing is presented herein. The DCA includes a projector, a detector, and a controller. The projector illuminates a target area with outgoing light comprising a plurality of light pulses. The detector includes an array of unit cells. Each unit cell includes a macropixel with a plurality of pixels that captures portions of the outgoing light reflected from the target area, and an array of memory cells coupled to the macropixel. At least one of the memory cells stores information about the captured portions of the reflected outgoing light received from the macropixel. The controller determines depth information for the target area based in part on data read from the at least one memory cell.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: A direct time of flight depth system includes an addressable illumination source, an active depth sensor, and a controller. The addressable illumination source includes an array of emitters and an optical assembly that is used to generate an array of dots emitted into a local area. Each emitter is independently addressable, allowing selective illumination of different portions of the local area. The addressable illumination source is aligned with the active depth sensor so each dot maps to a corresponding macropixel (e.g., 4×4 array of SPADs) on the active depth sensor. Data from the active depth sensor is readout and used to determine depth information.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photon detecting 3D imaging sensor device for detecting a distance information for pixels in an image, comprising: an array of detector units, wherein each detector unit is configured to receive a light signal pulse and to provide a detection signal pulse on receipt of a light signal pulse; a pulse selection unit including a decision tree with one or more stages, wherein each of the stages has one or more decision makers which are cascaded to propagate the earliest detection signal pulse of one of a respective detector unit as a timing signal; a time-to-digital converter configured to receive the timing signal and to provide a time stamp depending on the timing signal wherein the time stamp indicates the distance information for a pixel of the image.

Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) includes a direct time of flight system for determining depth information for a local area. The DCA includes an illumination source, a camera, and a controller. The illumination source projects light (e.g., pulse of light) into the local area. The camera detects reflections of the projected light from objects in the local area. Using an internal gating selection procedure, the controller selects a gate window that is likely to be associated with reflection of a pulse of light from an object. The selected gate may be used for depth determination. The internal gating selection procedures may be achieved through external target location and selection or through internal self-selection.