Abstract: Depth sensors comprising a focal plane array with photosites (PSs) directed in different directions, each PS operable to detect light arriving from an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of the PS, a readout-set of readout circuitries (ROCs), each ROC coupled to readout-group PSs by multiple switches and operable to output an electric signal indicative of an amount of light impinging on the readout-group PSs when the read-out group is connected to the respective ROC via at least one of the switches, a controller operable to change switching states of the switches, such that at different times different ROCs of the readout-set are coupled to the readout-group and are exposed to reflections from different distances, and a processor operable to obtain the electric signals from the readout-set indicative of detected levels of reflected light collected from the IFOVs of the readout-group and to determine depth information for an object.

Abstract: An integrator having an offset evaluation circuit and a collected charge reduction circuitry and method for using the integrator. The integrator includes an amplifier, operable to amplify an input signal, an integration capacitor for collecting charge indicative of a level of the input signal and an offset capacitor. The offset evaluation circuit is operable to charge the offset capacitor with charge corresponding to an offset voltage of the amplifier and the collected charge reduction circuitry is operable to collect charge resulting from disconnection of the offset evaluation circuit, thereby reducing an amount of charge and associated noise input to the amplifier.

Abstract: Depth sensors comprising a focal plane array with photosites (PSs) directed in different directions, each PS operable to detect light arriving from an instantaneous field of view (IFOV) of the PS, a readout-set of readout circuitries (ROCs), each ROC coupled to readout-group PSs by multiple switches and operable to output an electric signal indicative of an amount of light impinging on the readout-group PSs when the read-out group is connected to the respective ROC via at least one of the switches, a controller operable to change switching states of the switches, such that at different times different ROCs of the readout-set are coupled to the readout-group and are exposed to reflections from different distances, and a processor operable to obtain the electric signals from the readout-set indicative of detected levels of reflected light collected from the IFOVs of the readout-group and to determine depth information for an object.

Abstract: An integrator having an offset evaluation circuit and a collected charge reduction circuitry and method for using the integrator. The integrator includes an amplifier, operable to amplify an input signal, an integration capacitor for collecting charge indicative of a level of the input signal and an offset capacitor. The offset evaluation circuit is operable to charge the offset capacitor with charge corresponding to an offset voltage of the amplifier and the collected charge reduction circuitry is operable to collect charge resulting from disconnection of the offset evaluation circuit, thereby reducing an amount of charge and associated noise input to the amplifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for imaging in the short wave infrared (SWIR), photodetectors with low dark current and associated circuits for reducing dark currents and methods for generating image information based on data of a photodetector array. A SWIR imaging system may include a pulsed illumination source operative to emit radiation pulses in the SWIR band towards a target resulting in reflected radiation from the target; (b) an imaging receiver including a plurality of Ge PDs operative to detect the reflected SWIR radiation and a controller, operative to control activation of the receiver for an integration time during which the accumulated dark current noise does not exceed the time independent readout noise.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for dynamically scaling bias current on an imaging system is disclosed. In the invention an image sensor capable of producing at least a two-dimensional image and capable of at least two modes of operation is equipped with a control unit. The control unit determines a digital output for each of the modes of operation of the imaging system and outputs the digital outputs to a converter. The converter converts the digital output from the control unit to a bias current and provides this output to an analog and or mixed signal circuit associated with the imaging system that has operating characteristics that may be varied by the application of different bias currents.

Abstract: An image sensor for producing a moving or still picture is disclosed. The image sensor includes an imaging array, a digital image processor, and a multiplexer. The multiplexer is coupled to both the imaging array and the digital image processor. The multiplexer includes a plurality of inputs, a plurality of switches, an output, and a select function. The select function selectively causes coupling of one of the plurality inputs to the output, wherein switching to any of the plurality of inputs results in a predetermined number of plurality of switches either opening or closing.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for dynamically scaling bias current on an imaging system is disclosed. In the invention an image sensor capable of producing at least a two-dimensional image and capable of at least two modes of operation is equipped with a control unit. The control unit determines a digital output for each of the modes of operation of the imaging system and outputs the digital outputs to a converter. The converter converts the digital output from the control unit to a bias current and provides this output to an analog and or mixed signal circuit associated with the imaging system that has operating characteristics that may be varied by the application of different bias currents.