Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of self-resetting pixels including: a mechanism converting detected electromagnetic energy into a proportional electric current; an integrating capacitor including a mechanism for fast charging to a first electric level and for controlled discharging to a second electric level; a mechanism for comparing the controlled discharge; a loopback mechanism, allowing automatic repetition of fast charging and controlled discharging cycles and counting of number of cycles occurring during a determined integration time; a mechanism measuring a residual electric charge present in the integrating capacitor on completion of the integration period; and a calibration mechanism using the measurement mechanism to measure and compensate for operating and production dispersions specific to each pixel.

Abstract: An imaging device including: plural pixels each including a photodetector; plural reading circuits associated with the plural photodetectors, each reading circuit including a first MOS transistor charging/discharging a photodetector and a second MOS transistor converting charges to be output by the photodetector into voltage; an electronic processing circuit configured to process the voltages outputted by the reading circuits; a first substrate on which are formed the pixels and the reading circuits, and a second substrate, distinct from the first substrate, on which is formed the electronic processing circuit, the second substrate being linked electrically to the first substrate by an electrical interconnection forming an electrical link between the reading circuits and the electronic processing circuit.

Abstract: A measurement system including a reference resistive sensor traversed by a reference current, with a reference arm having a reference resistance and being traversed by the reference current in order to produce a reference voltage between its ends, at least one measurement resistive sensor traversed by a measurement current that depends on a measurement taken by the measurement resistive sensor, a measurement mirror arm traversed by a current, and a device for measuring the difference between the measurement current and the current traversing the measurement mirror arm. The resistance of the measurement mirror arm of each measurement resistive sensor is equal to the reference resistance and the measurement system further includes a device for applying, to each measurement mirror arm, the reference voltage. The device for applying the reference voltage being designed to the isolated to a current of the measurement mirror arm when the reference voltage is applied.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of self-resetting pixels including: a mechanism converting detected electromagnetic energy into a proportional electric current; an integrating capacitor including a mechanism for fast charging to a first electric level and for controlled discharging to a second electric level; a mechanism for comparing the controlled discharge; a loopback mechanism, allowing automatic repetition of fast charging and controlled discharging cycles and counting of number of cycles occurring during a determined integration time; a mechanism measuring a residual electric charge present in the integrating capacitor on completion of the integration period; and a calibration mechanism using the measurement mechanism to measure and compensate for operating and production dispersions specific to each pixel.

Abstract: An imaging device including: plural pixels each including a photodetector; plural reading circuits associated with the plural photodetectors, each reading circuit including a first MOS transistor charging/discharging a photodetector and a second MOS transistor converting charges to be output by the photodetector into voltage; an electronic processing circuit configured to process the voltages outputted by the reading circuits; a first substrate on which are formed the pixels and the reading circuits, and a second substrate, distinct from the first substrate, on which is formed the electronic processing circuit, the second substrate being linked electrically to the first substrate by an electrical interconnection forming an electrical link between the reading circuits and the electronic processing circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a photosensitive element producing an electric charge as a function of the radiation incident thereon and a charge integrator connected to the photosensitive element and converting the charge to a voltage. According to the invention, the device comprises a comparator capable of comparing the voltage delivered by the integrator with a threshold voltage, and a memory unit for storing the instant when the voltage delivered by the integrator exceeds the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A measurement system including a reference resistive sensor traversed by a reference current, with a reference arm having a reference resistance and being traversed by the reference current in order to produce a reference voltage between its ends, at least one measurement resistive sensor traversed by a measurement current that depends on a measurement taken by the measurement resistive sensor, a measurement mirror arm traversed by a current, and a device for measuring the difference between the measurement current and the current traversing the measurement mirror arm. The resistance of the measurement mirror arm of each measurement resistive sensor is equal to the reference resistance and the measurement system further includes a device for applying, to each measurement mirror arm, the reference voltage. The device for applying the reference voltage being designed to be isolated to a current of the measurement mirror arm when the reference voltage is applied.

Abstract: An electronic circuit, for biasing and reading at least one resistive thermal detector, comprising: biasing means able to bias the resistive thermal detector by making a biasing current of substantially constant value flow in the resistive thermal detector when the electrical resistance thereof varies; conversion means able to convert a voltage at the terminals of the resistive thermal detector into a current, comprising at least one MOS-type transistor the gate of which is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the resistive thermal detector; means of generating a base clipping voltage electrically connected to the source of the MOS-type transistor of the conversion means.

Abstract: A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation, including pixels each detecting a radiation and providing an electric current representative of the detected radiation, a column to which the pixels are connected, and transmitting the electric currents provided by the pixels, and an electrical module, to which the transmission column is connected, processing the electric currents provided by the pixels. Each pixel includes a detection circuit including a bolometric detector connected in series to a voltage polarization device of the bolometric detector for adjusting the electric current supplied to the processing module by the transmission column.

Abstract: This device for detecting an electromagnetic radiation, comprises a matrix of juxtaposed elementary sensors (1), each associated with a common substrate in which a sequential addressing read circuit is prepared, specific to each of the sensors, thereby constituting as many pixels, the interaction of the radiation with the sensors generating electric charges to be converted to voltage for their subsequent processing, each of the said sensors being biased via an injection transistor (2), of which one of the terminals is connected to an integration capacitance (3), storing the electric charges generated by the sensor during an integration phase, and whereof the quantity of charges is then processed for conversion to voltage. Each of the pixels of the said matrix is associated with a current limiting device (5), for limiting the current generated by each of the elementary sensors to a maximum called reference current, regardless of the radiation flux received by the pixel concerned.

Abstract: An analog counter includes, for at least one step, an input for receiving electric pulses and a means for modifying, by consecutive increments or decrements, a storage voltage for each received electrical pulse, a means for resetting the storage voltage, and a comparator for comparing the storage voltage with a threshold voltage and adapted to generate exceedance information. The counter further includes a control means adapted to control the resetting means in the event of the simultaneous detection of exceedance information from the comparator and of an input pulse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a photosensitive element producing an electric charge as a function of the radiation incident thereon and a charge integrator connected to the photosensitive element and converting the charge to a voltage. According to the invention, the device comprises a comparator capable of comparing the voltage delivered by the integrator with a threshold voltage, and a memory unit for storing the instant when the voltage delivered by the integrator exceeds the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A thermal image sensor comprising at least: one pixel matrix, wherein each pixel comprises at least one bolometer and means of applying a voltage to the terminals of the bolometer, and a comparator connecting an output of the pixel matrix to an input of the means of applying the voltage to the terminals of the bolometer of each pixel, wherein said comparator is capable of making a comparison between the output signal of the pixel matrix and a reference value, wherein the value of the voltage at the terminals of the bolometer of each pixel is determined at least partially depending on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A current pre-amplifier with an input capable of receiving or supplying an input current with at least one pulse, wherein the pre-amplifier includes a regulated cascode stage including an input transistor and a first current generator as well as an output transistor and a second current generator. The pre-amplifier includes a detection device capable of detecting an input current pulse, and a feedback device capable of increasing the current supplied by the first and/or the second current generator during the entire detection of the input current pulse.

Abstract: This device for detecting an electromagnetic radiation, comprises a matrix of juxtaposed elementary sensors (1), each associated with a common substrate in which a sequential addressing read circuit is prepared, specific to each of the sensors, thereby constituting as many pixels, the interaction of the radiation with the sensors generating electric charges to be converted to voltage for their subsequent processing, each of the said sensors being biased via an injection transistor (2), of which one of the terminals is connected to an integration capacitance (3), storing the electric charges generated by the sensor during an integration phase, and whereof the quantity of charges is then processed for conversion to voltage. Each of the pixels of the said matrix is associated with a current limiting device (5), for limiting the current generated by each of the elementary sensors to a maximum called reference current, regardless of the radiation flux received by the pixel concerned.

Abstract: A thermal image sensor comprising at least: one pixel matrix, wherein each pixel comprises at least one bolometer and means of applying a voltage to the terminals of the bolometer, and a comparator connecting an output of the pixel matrix to an input of the means of applying the voltage to the terminals of the bolometer of each pixel, wherein said comparator is capable of making a comparison between the output signal of the pixel matrix and a reference value, wherein the value of the voltage at the terminals of the bolometer of each pixel is determined at least partially depending on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a current pre-amplifier (11) with an input (N1) capable of receiving or supplying an input current (i3) with at least one pulse, wherein the pre-amplifier comprises a regulated cascode stage comprising an input transistor (M1) and a first current generator (S1) as well as an output transistor (M2) and a second current generator (S2), wherein said pre-amplifier comprises: detection means (M5, M6) capable of detecting an input current pulse (i3), and feedback means (M3, M6, M4, M5, R1, C1, M3, M7, M8, R2, C2) capable of increasing the current supplied by the first and/or the second current generator during the entire detection of the input current pulse.

Abstract: A device for switching radio frequency signals that includes at least a first MOS transistor for selectively interrupting or transmitting the signals between at least first and second terminals as a function of a control signal. The gate of the first MOS transistor is connected to the first terminal, and both the drain and source of the first MOS transistor are connected to the second terminal. In a preferred embodiment, the first MOS transistor selectively interrupts or transmits the signals between the first terminal and the second terminal, and the device also includes a second MOS transistor for selectively interrupting or transmitting the signals between the first terminal and a third terminal. A system for processing radio frequency signals is also provided.

Abstract: A device for the protection of an integrated circuit input/output pin against electrostatic discharges includes a first diode between a positive power supply line and an internal connection node for connection to the pin, and a second diode between the internal node and a second negative or zero supply line. The device also includes a protection transistor series-connected between the positive power supply line and the first diode, and a stack of N diodes, where N is equal to one or more, series-connected between the control electrode of the protection transistor and the first diode.