Abstract: A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit having a first plurality of transistors, and a laser range finding (LRF) circuit having a second plurality of transistors. At least one transistor of the second plurality of transistors, but not all of the second plurality of transistors, is included in the first plurality of transistors. The LRF circuit being configured to perform LRF operations and the image sensing circuit is configured to perform passive imaging operations. The image sensing circuit and the LRF circuit are configured to perform concurrently.

Abstract: An imaging and pulse detection pixel and an array of imaging and pulse detection pixels are provided. Each imaging and pulse detection pixel includes an optical detection device connected directly to a first and second transistor only, a pulse detection circuit that operates on the signal read out from the optical detection device and outputs a pulse detection output signal suitable for detection of pulses, and an imaging circuit that operates on a signal read out from the optical detection device and outputs an image output signal suitable for generation of an image. A terminal of the optical detection device is directly connected to only a gate terminal of the first transistor and a non-gate terminal of the second transistor.

Abstract: An imaging method includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at a focal plane array of a handheld device. The electromagnetic radiation is processed within the handheld device, and visible images are displayed on the handheld device. The displayed visible images are indicative of a scene, and include a designator and a designator identifier when a high frequency laser pulse is in the scene. The designator and designator identifier represent the high frequency pulsed electromagnetic radiation received by the focal plane array when a high frequency pulse is present in the scene.

Abstract: A method of threat detection includes illuminating a scene with short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) illumination and receiving a return of the SWIR illumination reflected back from the scene. The method includes analyzing the return of the SWIR illumination to detect presence of man-made optics in the scene. Illuminating, receiving, and analyzing can be performed by a device, e.g., a rifle-mounted laser device.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes an imaging array with a plurality of pixels. A sub-set of the pixels are marker pixels configured to each provide a constant respective output value to embed an orientation and alignment marker in images produced with the imaging array. The marker pixels can be sparsely distributed across the imaging array.

Abstract: An imaging pixel includes a photodetector for generating a charge signal, an input buffer, a control device, and a switch. The input buffer is connected to the photodetector for amplifying the charge signal. The control device is connected to the photodetector and the input buffer to separate high-frequency charge signals from low frequency charge signals. The switch is operably connected to the input buffer for sampling of high-frequency charge signals in a charge storage device triggered by amplitude of high-frequency charge signals provided by the input buffer.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) is operatively connected to receive photocurrent from a plurality of photodetectors (e.g., from a plurality of photodetectors of a photodetector array (PDA)). An event detection circuit in each ROIC pixel readout circuit generates binary output data, wherein the ROIC compresses the binary output data with a logical summary binning of N×M pixel binary outputs into a single summary output bit. The ROIC can be configured to receive image data from the photodetectors to form an image at a first frame rate, and to receive the binned binary data from the photodetectors at a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate.

Abstract: A method of threat detection includes illuminating a scene with short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) illumination and receiving a return of the SWIR illumination reflected back from the scene. The method includes analyzing the return of the SWIR illumination to detect presence of man-made optics in the scene. Illuminating, receiving, and analyzing can be performed by a device, e.g., a rifle-mounted laser device.

Abstract: A method of correcting lag in an imaging pixel includes receiving a current frame pixel value and determining a current filter coefficient using the current frame pixel value. A pixel output is determined from a product of the current frame pixel value and current frame filter coefficient. The product of a first prior frame pixel value and corresponding first prior frame filter coefficient is added to the pixel output to generate a corrected pixel output to more closely indicates incident illumination on the imaging pixel during an integration period from which the current frame pixel value was obtained.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a pulse detection bitmap from an imaging sensor array into a digital read out integrated circuit (DROIC), filtering the pulse detection bitmap within the DROIC to convert the pulse detection bitmap into a filtered pulse detection bitmap, and determining for a given pixel in the filtered pulse detection bitmap whether the pixel has a value that exceeds a threshold, indicating a true laser pulse return has been detected in the pixel.

Abstract: An imaging pixel includes a photodetector for generating a charge signal, an input buffer, a control device, and a switch. The input buffer is connected to the photodetector for amplifying the charge signal. The control device is connected to the photodetector and the input buffer to separate high-frequency charge signals from low frequency charge signals. The switch is operably connected to the input buffer for sampling of high-frequency charge signals in a charge storage device triggered by amplitude of high-frequency charge signals provided by the input buffer.

Abstract: A method includes correcting for at least one of gain and offset during frame integration for photodetector events. Gain and offset correction is performed separately in each pixel of a digital read-out integrated circuit (DROIC) for a plurality of corresponding pixels in a photodetector array. First and second binary counters respectively use a gain register and an offset register to implement gain and offset correction.

Abstract: A method includes correcting for at least one of gain and offset during frame integration for photodetector events. Gain and offset correction is performed separately in each pixel of a digital read-out integrated circuit (DROIC) for a plurality of corresponding pixels in a photodetector array. First and second binary counters respectively use a gain register and an offset register to implement gain and offset correction.

Abstract: A multimode pixel of a pixel array is provided. The multimode pixel includes a photodetector, an image sensing circuit, a pulse detection circuit, and an image readout path coupled between the image sensing circuit and at least one readout conductor of the pixel array to transmit image signals from the image sensing circuit to the at least one readout conductor. The multimode pixel further includes a pulse readout path different from the image readout path, wherein the pulse readout path is coupled between the pulse detection circuit and the at least one readout conductor to transmit pulse data from the pulse detection circuit to the at least one readout conductor, and wherein the image readout path is controlled independently from the pulse readout path.

Abstract: A wavefront sensing pixel is provided. The wavefront sensing pixel includes a low-pass filter filtering a charge signal from a photodetector and outputting a control signal when low-frequency signals are detected in the charge signal, and a control device to control flow of the charge signal past the control device based on whether a low-frequency signal is detected in the charge signal. The wavefront sensing pixel further includes a low-frequency signal path that receives a flow of signals that flow past the control device, and a high-frequency signal path independent of the low-pass filter and the control device, the high-frequency signal path receiving high-frequency signals included in the charge signal.

Abstract: An imaging and pulse detection (IPD) pixel array includes a plurality of imaging pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each imaging pixel includes a respective photodetector that outputs signals in response to incident light and input laser pulses. The signals include imaging signals that correspond to the incident light and pulse signals that correspond to the input laser pulses. The IPD array further includes an isolation circuit associated with each of the respective imaging pixels, each isolation circuit outputting filtered output pulse signals in response to receiving the signals from the associated imaging pixel, the filtered output pulse signals corresponding to the pulse signals. The IPD array further includes a single pulse detection circuit that toggles between a charged and uncharged state corresponding to a pulse being received from at least one of the isolation circuits.

Abstract: An imaging method includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at a focal plane array of a handheld device. The electromagnetic radiation is processed within the handheld device, and visible images are displayed on the handheld device. The displayed visible images are indicative of a scene, and include a designator and a designator identifier when a high frequency laser pulse is in the scene. The designator and designator identifier represent the high frequency pulsed electromagnetic radiation received by the focal plane array when a high frequency pulse is present in the scene.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) is operatively connected to receive photocurrent from a plurality of photodetectors (e.g., from a plurality of photodetectors of a photodetector array (PDA)). An event detection circuit in each ROIC pixel readout circuit generates binary output data, wherein the ROIC compresses the binary output data with a logical summary binning of N×M pixel binary outputs into a single summary output bit. The ROIC can be configured to receive image data from the photodetectors to form an image at a first frame rate, and to receive the binned binary data from the photodetectors at a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes an imaging array with a plurality of pixels. A sub-set of the pixels are marker pixels configured to each provide a constant respective output value to embed an orientation and alignment marker in images produced with the imaging array. The marker pixels can be sparsely distributed across the imaging array.

Abstract: A pulse detector amplifier is disclosed. The pulse detector amplifier may have a detection switching leg that receives an input energy pulse. The pulse detector may have a mirror fast trigger including a trigger node and controlling a mirrored switching leg. The detection switching leg may trigger the trigger node in response to the input energy pulse. The pulse detector amplifier may also have a mirrored switching leg that controlled by the trigger node. The mirrored switching leg may control a voltage and/or current on the output node responsive to the input energy pulse. Thus, the pulse detector may generally include a cascode architecture, with a mirror fast trigger (which may include a FET) between the mirrored legs of the amplifier and enhancing the rapid triggering of the amplifier output. Thus the pulse detector may be power efficient, may have a small part count, and may be sensitive.