Abstract: A method for analyzing a spectral signature of a compound specimen is provided. The method includes illuminating a compound specimen with a light in a predetermined spectrum; obtaining a spectral signature of the compound specimen, the spectral signature including at least one light property of a plurality of wavelengths in the spectrum transmitted through the compound specimen; extracting characterizing features of the spectral signature, the characterizing features being light properties of predetermined wavelengths within the spectrum; and comparing the characterizing features with corresponding features stored in a database, the corresponding features are corresponding properties of an expected spectral signature of a specimen including an examined substance.

Abstract: An array of photodiodes is provided, the array including a plurality of photodiodes arranged in groups, each group including at least a first photodiode, a second photodiode and a third photodiode; and a shutter for controlling integration time of each of the first, second and third photodiodes in the groups, facilitating detection of light by the first photodiode during a first timeslot, detection of light by the second photodiode during a second timeslot, and detection of light by the third photodiode during a third timeslot. The first, second and third timeslots are independently controlled allowing thereby detecting various portions of light radiation.

Abstract: A device for spectral analysis including a seat for holding therein a compound specimen; a light source for illuminating the compound specimen with a spectrum of light; and a detector configured for detecting light transmitted through or reflected from the biological sample, the detector including a pixel array having a plurality of pixels each of which being configured to detect intensity of one wavelength within the spectrum such that the pixel array obtains a spectral signature of the biological sample including intensities of wavelengths within the spectrum.

Abstract: A detecting system is provided for detecting distant objects. The system includes a light source configured to emit light pulses towards a distant object, the light pulses are being polarized at a predefined polarization angle; a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the light pulses reflected from the distant objects; and at least one linear polarizer configured for polarizing light at the polarization angle and being so disposed with respect to the detector such that the light reaching the detector passes through the linear polarizer and is polarized at the polarization angle.

Abstract: A range detector for detecting distance of an object is provided. The detector includes: a light source configured to emit a first light pulse and a second light pulse towards a distant object, the first light pulse being configured for short-range object detection and the second light pulse being configured for long-range object detection; an active pixel sensor having a plurality of pixel elements each of which including at least one photodiode and at least one floating diffusion region configured to receive photoelectric charge from the at least one photodiode, the at least one photodiode being disposed with respect to the light source, such that the first and second pulses are reflected back from the object towards the at least one photodiode; and a controller configured to actuate the light source to selectively emit the first and second light pulses and to determine distance of the object.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor is provided including a two-dimensional array of photodiodes arranged in at least two rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of groups of photodiodes each having a floating diffusion region coupled thereto and being configured to receive electrons generated by photodiodes in the group; wherein the plurality of groups includes at least one first group disposed on a first row of the array, and at least one second group disposed on a second row of the array; and wherein the first group includes at least one photodiode on a first column and at least one photodiode on a second column, and the second group includes at least one photodiode on the second column and at least one photodiode on a third column.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor is provided including a two-dimensional array of photodiodes arranged in at least two rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of groups of photodiodes each having a floating diffusion region coupled thereto and being configured to receive electrons generated by photodiodes in the group; wherein the plurality of groups includes at least one first group disposed on a first row of the array, and at least one second group disposed on a second row of the array; and wherein the first group includes at least one photodiode on a first column and at least one photodiode on a second column, and the second group includes at least one photodiode on the second column and at least one photodiode on a third column.

Abstract: A range detector for detecting distance of an object is provided. The detector includes: a light source configured to emit a first light pulse and a second light pulse towards a distant object, the first light pulse being configured for short-range object detection and the second light pulse being configured for long-range object detection; an active pixel sensor having a plurality of pixel elements each of which including at least one photodiode and at least one floating diffusion region configured to receive photoelectric charge from the at least one photodiode, the at least one photodiode being disposed with respect to the light source, such that the first and second pulses are reflected back from the object towards the at least one photodiode; and a controller configured to actuate the light source to selectively emit the first and second light pulses and to determine distance of the object.

Abstract: A detecting system is provided for detecting distant objects. The system includes a light source configured to emit light pulses towards a distant object, the light pulses are being polarized at a predefined polarization angle; a detector configured to detect at least a portion of the light pulses reflected from the distant objects; and at least one linear polarizer configured for polarizing light at the polarization angle and being so disposed with respect to the detector such that the light reaching the detector passes through the linear polarizer and is polarized at the polarization angle.