Abstract: Systems and methods for a lower energy/faster time of flight camera system configured to measure distance to an object. The system is configured to emit laser light modulated with a first frequency and image light reflected by an object in order to determine a first phase difference between the emitted and reflected light. The system emits laser light modulated with a second frequency and images light reflected by the object to determine a second phase difference between the emitted and reflected light. The distance to the object is determined using the first and second phase differences. The system is arranged to operate at lower energy for obtaining the first phase difference compared with the operation to obtain the second phase difference. This results in lower overall energy consumption and faster overall operation without any significant reduction in accuracy of imaging.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a Time of Flight (ToF) camera system configured to be operable in a proximity mode. In the proximity mode, the proximity of an object may be estimated by relatively delaying or offsetting the charge accumulation timing of multiple different columns of pixels of the ToF imaging sensor. The relative charge accumulated in those pixel columns is dependent on the proximity of the object and the relative time delays in charge accumulation of each column. Therefore, by reading out the charge accumulated in multiple different pixel columns and knowing the relative accumulation delay of those pixel columns, the proximity of an object may be determined. This enables the operation of the ToF camera system to be switched between relatively high power, full ToF depth imaging, and relatively low power proximity mode of operation, thereby rendering a single system as being capable of performing two different functions.

Abstract: Systems and method for a camera system that includes an imaging sensor having differential type imaging pixels. The camera system is configured to read two, single ended signals from each differential pixel, rather than one differential signal. The camera system can be configured to process those single ended signals in one or more different ways in order to determine different types of image and/or to achieve particular desired performance, such as higher speed, more accurate imaging, higher dynamic range imaging, lower noise imaging, etc.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser system/package that is configured to enable the detection of a change in an optical device that is intended to alter light emitted from the laser. The system is designed to measure an electric or magnetic field that is affected by the optical device. As a result, changes in the optical device, for example because the optical device has been damaged or dislodged or removed, should be detected by a corresponding change in the electric or magnetic field.

Abstract: The response of a Rogowski coil based current measuring circuit is often proportional to frequency. To correct for this a low pass or integrating function is applied to the response to linearize it. The low pass filter is made from real resistors and capacitors, and tolerances in their values significantly affect the estimate of current. This disclosure relates to a way of addressing such problems. This allows consumers of electricity to have confidence in the accuracy of, for example, their electricity meter.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to isolated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuits comprising a first side that is separated from a second side by an isolator. A first ADC positioned on the first side may be configured to convert a first analog input signal to a first side multi-bit digital signal. A digital modulator on the first side may be configured to convert the first side multi-bit digital signal to a first single-bit stream. A first filter positioned on the second side may be configured to receive the first single-bit stream across the first isolator and to generate a first reconstructed multi-bit digital signal using the first single-bit stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits which include various structural elements designed to reduce the impact of strain on the electronic components of the circuit. In particular, a combination of trenches and cavities are used to mechanically isolate the integrated circuit from the surrounding substrate. The trenches may be formed such that they surround the integrated circuit, and the cavities may be formed under the integrated circuit. As such, the integrated circuit may be formed on a portion of the substrate that forms a platform. In order that the platform does not move, it may be tethered to the surrounding substrate. By including such mechanical elements, variation in the electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit are reduced.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PUF apparatus and method for generating a persistent, random number. The generated number is random in that each particular instance of PUF apparatus should generate a randomly different number to all other instances of PUF apparatus, and is persistent in that each particular instance of the PUF apparatus should repeatedly generate the same number, within acceptable error correction tolerances. The persistent, random number is determined by selecting one or more PUF cells, each comprising a matched pair of transistors that are of identical design, and comparing an on-state characteristic of the pair (e.g., turn-on threshold voltage or gate-source voltage). The difference in on-state characteristic of each selected pair of transistors is caused by random manufacturing differences between the transistors. This causes the randomness between each different instance of PUF apparatus, and should be relatively stable over time to provide persistence of the generated number.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light source system suitable for use in a time of flight camera. The light source system includes a light source, such as a laser, and a driver arranged to supply a drive current to the light source to turn the light source on to emit light. The driver includes a capacitor to store energy and then discharge to generate the drive current, and the driver is integrated into a semiconductor die on which the light source is mounted. Consequently, the driver includes within it the source of energy for the drive current and the light source and driver are very close together, meaning that the light source may be turned on and off very quickly with a relatively large drive current, in order to output a high optical power, short duration light pulse.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light source system suitable for use in a time of flight camera. The light source system includes a light source, such as a laser, and a driver arranged to supply a drive current to the light source to turn the light source on to emit light. The driver includes two transistors coupled to the light source in series, such that when both transistors are turned on, a drive circuit is completed, current flows and the light source turns on. A very short pulse of light emission may be achieved efficiently by switching one of the transistors to the on-state to complete the drive circuit and a short time later turning off the other transistor in order to break the drive circuit. In this way, a pulse of light in the order of less than 1 nanosecond or less than 500 picoseconds may be achieved.

Abstract: A laser emitter circuit comprises a laser diode; a driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal; and a resonant circuit coupled to the driver circuit and the laser diode, wherein the resonant circuit is configured to use the drive signal of the driver circuit to generate a continuous wave sinusoidal drive signal to drive the laser diode.

Abstract: Time-of-flight (ToF) systems which use pulsed laser diodes, are required to measure distances with high level of precision and control. The present disclosure provides a method and a corresponding system for controlling a temporal response of a laser diode, in particular pulsed laser diodes. In particular, the present disclosure provides a method and a related system for driving a laser diode so as to obtain predominantly a peak pulse response while minimising or completely avoiding the post-peak response in a temporal response of the laser diode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PUF apparatus for generating a persistent, random number. The random number is determined by selecting one or more PUF cells, each of which comprise a matched pair of capacitors that are of identical design, and determining a value that is accurately and reliably indicative of a random manufacturing difference between them, based in which the random number is generated. The random manufacturing differences between the capacitors creates the randomness in the generated random number. Furthermore, because the random manufacturing difference should be relatively stable over time, the generated random number should be persistent.

Abstract: Current measurement apparatus comprises a measurement arrangement and a signal source. The measurement arrangement is configured to measure a current signal drawn by a load. The signal source is operative to apply a reference input signal to the measurement arrangement whereby an output signal from the measurement arrangement comprises a load output signal corresponding to the load drawn current signal and a reference output signal corresponding to the reference input signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to current measurement apparatus. The current measurement apparatus comprises first and second measurement devices with each of the first and second measurement devices being operative to measure current in a respective one of a live conductor and a neutral conductor substantially simultaneously. The current measurement apparatus is operative to make plural different determinations in dependence on the substantially simultaneous current measurements.

Abstract: An ADC circuit that can resolve the most significant bits (MSBs) using a first circuit during a first stage of a multi-stage conversion and resolve the least significant bits (LSBs) using a second circuit during a second stage of the multi-stage conversion. This can be used, for example, in massively parallel applications where the reference level generation can be shared between thousands of converters.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to monitoring the condition of electrical/electronic switches over time by monitoring the impedance of the switch. The condition of switches can degrade as they age, which can reduce their performance and may ultimately lead to failure. In many applications, particularly high-voltage applications, the reliable operation of switches may be very important and failures can present a safety risk and cause costly unscheduled system downtime for repairs. It has been realised that as the condition of switches change, their impedance changes, so monitoring the impedance can give a good indication of the condition of the switch, enabling potential faults/failures to be identified early and acted upon pre-emptively.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a PUF apparatus and method for generating a persistent, random number. The generated number is random in that each particular instance of PUF apparatus should generate a randomly different number to all other instances of PUF apparatus, and is persistent in that each particular instance of the PUF apparatus should repeatedly generate the same number, within acceptable error correction tolerances. The persistent, random number is determined by selecting one or more PUF cells, each comprising a matched pair of transistors that are of identical design, and comparing an on-state characteristic of the pair (e.g., turn-on threshold voltage or gate-source voltage). The difference in on-state characteristic of each selected pair of transistors is caused by random manufacturing differences between the transistors. This causes the randomness between each different instance of PUF apparatus, and should be relatively stable over time to provide persistence of the generated number.

Abstract: Differential sampling circuits may be adversely affected by changes in common mode voltage. Changes in the common mode voltage may alter the on resistance of transistor switches which it turn may mean that small signal changes are not correctly observed against a bigger common mode signal. The present disclosure relates to a way of improving the ability to resolve small differential signal changes by varying the supply or drive voltage to a component to compensate for common mode voltage changes.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to configuring a configurable hardware module to perform a measurement of a physical quantity. A configuration manager may receive an indication of the physical quantity and performance factor data describing the measurement of the physical quantity. The configuration manager may generate a hardware configuration of the hardware based at least in part on the indication of the physical quantity and the performance factor data. The hardware configuration may comprise instruction data to configure the hardware module to execute a dynamic measurement of the physical quantity. The configuration manager may also generate configuration data describing the hardware configuration, wherein the configuration data comprises simulation data comprising input parameters for a simulation of the hardware configuration and hardware configuration data for configuring a hardware module to implement at least a portion of the hardware configuration.