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: A magnetic field sensor includes a first coil responsive to a first AC coil drive signal having a first frequency, a magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to simultaneously detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the first coil and a reflected magnetic field generated by an eddy current induced in a conductive target by the first coil, the conductive target disposed proximate to the magnetic field sensing element, the magnetic field sensing element further configured to generate a magnetic field signal, a second coil responsive to a second AC coil drive signal having a second frequency that is the same as the first frequency and current sensing circuitry configured to measure a magnitude of the second AC coil drive signal that causes the magnetic field signal to be approximately zero.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting temperature information for an array from a signal through first and second contacts based on temperature dependent properties of the a PN junction. An example method includes connecting first and second PN junctions to a bias source to reverse bias the first and second PN junctions, connecting a first contact to the first PN junction, connecting a second contact to N type material forming a junction with P type material of the first PN junction, and extracting temperature information for the first PN junction from a signal through the first and second contacts based on temperature dependent properties of the first PN junction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a controlling a stimulus source to direct photons to a pixel in a pixel array contained in a detector system, analyzing a response of the pixel in the pixel array; and generating an alert based on the response of the pixel in the pixel array. Example stimulus sources include a conductive trace, a PN junction, and a current source.

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: 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 receiving a return laser pulse at a detector system having pixels in a pixel array and analyzing a response of the pixels in the pixel array including comparing the response to at least one threshold corresponding to decay of photonic energy of the laser pulse over distance and target reflectivity, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a first threshold corresponding to a low trigger for a pulse generated by a first type of laser and a second threshold corresponding to a high trigger for the pulse generated by the first type of laser. Embodiments can further include generating an alert signal based on the response of the pixels in the pixel array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the temperature of a pixel array. In embodiments, a first pixel in a pixel array is reverse-biased and a second pixel in the pixel array is forward-biased. A voltage for the second pixel can be measured to determine a temperature of the pixel array from the measured voltage for the second pixel.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one coil responsive to an AC coil drive signal; at least one magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the at least one coil and to generate a magnetic field signal in response to the directly coupled magnetic field; a processor responsive to the magnetic field signal to compute a sensitivity value associated with detection of the directly coupled magnetic field and substantially independent of a reflected magnetic field reflected by a conductive target disposed proximate to the at least one magnetic field sensing element; and an output signal generator configured to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor indicative of the reflected magnetic field.

Abstract: Lidar transmission optics and systems project more laser pulse energy per pixel instantaneous field-of-view (IFOV) to a portion of a sensor field of view (FOV), e.g., a portion that would be expected to have both close and distant objects of interest, and proportionally less pulse energy per pixel IFOV to other portions of the sensor FOV, e.g., those that would be expected to have or see only close objects of interest. Optics such as diffractive optical elements (DOEs), gradient-index (GRIN) lenses, and/or compound lens systems can be used for producing desired irradiance distributions having multiple parts or regions. The optics and systems improve range performance by providing for more efficient use of the total available laser pulse energy than transmit optics that project uniform pulse energy per pixel IFOV across the sensor FOV.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for receiving a return laser pulse at a detector system having pixels in a pixel array and analyzing a response of the pixels in the pixel array including comparing the response to at least one threshold corresponding to decay of photonic energy of the laser pulse over distance and target reflectivity, wherein the at least one threshold comprises a first threshold corresponding to a low trigger for a pulse generated by a first type of laser and a second threshold corresponding to a high trigger for the pulse generated by the first type of laser. Embodiments can further include generating an alert signal based on the response of the pixels in the pixel array.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for temperature sensing in a detector system. Dark current from pixels in a pixel array of the detector system can be filtered to remove noise and processed to determine a temperature of the pixel array from the filtered dark current. Calibration of the dark current for a range of temperatures can be performed. In embodiments, the pixels comprise photodiodes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a controlling a stimulus source to direct photons to a pixel in a pixel array contained in a detector system, analyzing a response of the pixel in the pixel array; and generating an alert based on the response of the pixel in the pixel array. Example stimulus sources include a conductive trace, a PN junction, and a current source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a first photodetector array die having pixels from a first end to a second end and a second photodetector array die having pixels from a first end to a second end. A readout integrated circuit (ROIC) can be electrically coupled to the first and second photodetector array die. One or more microlenses can steer light onto the photodetector arrays.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor includes at least one coil responsive to an AC coil drive signal; at least one magnetic field sensing element responsive to a sensing element drive signal and configured to detect a directly coupled magnetic field generated by the at least one coil and to generate a magnetic field signal in response to the directly coupled magnetic field; a processor responsive to the magnetic field signal to compute a sensitivity value associated with detection of the directly coupled magnetic field and substantially independent of a reflected magnetic field reflected by a conductive target disposed proximate to the at least one magnetic field sensing element; and an output signal generator configured to generate an output signal of the magnetic field sensor indicative of the reflected magnetic field.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting temperature information for an array from a signal through first and second contacts based on temperature dependent properties of the a PN junction. An example method includes connecting first and second PN junctions to a bias source to reverse bias the first and second PN junctions, connecting a first contact to the first PN junction, connecting a second contact to N type material forming a junction with P type material of the first PN junction, and extracting temperature information for the first PN junction from a signal through the first and second contacts based on temperature dependent properties of the first PN junction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining the temperature of a pixel array. In embodiments, a first pixel in a pixel array is reverse-biased and a second pixel in the pixel array is forward-biased. A voltage for the second pixel can be measured to determine a temperature of the pixel array from the measured voltage for the second pixel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for temperature sensing in a detector system. Dark current from pixels in a pixel array of the detector system can be filtered to remove noise and processed to determine a temperature of the pixel array from the filtered dark current. Calibration of the dark current for a range of temperatures can be performed. In embodiments, the pixels comprise photodiodes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a controlling a stimulus source to direct photons to a pixel in a pixel array contained in a detector system, analyzing a response of the pixel in the pixel array; and generating an alert based on the response of the pixel in the pixel array. Example stimulus sources include a conductive trace, a PN junction, and a current source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a controlling a stimulus source to direct photons to a pixel in a pixel array contained in a detector system, analyzing a response of the pixel in the pixel array; and generating an alert based on the response of the pixel in the pixel array. Example stimulus sources include a conductive trace, a PN junction, and a current source.