Patents by Inventor Padraig O'Mathuna

Padraig O'Mathuna has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8716647
    Abstract: An analog silicon photomultiplier system includes at least one analog pixel comprising a plurality of analog photodiodes (APDs), and a capacitor, a signal generator, a phase detector, and a compensation network. The signal generator is configured to generate and propagate a sinusoidal signal concurrently along first and second transmission lines. A capacitor is loaded on the first transmission line when an APD corresponding to the capacitor detects a photon. The phase detector is coupled with the first and second transmission lines, determines a phase difference between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and calculates a number of APDs that have fired from the phase difference. The compensation network is coupled with the second transmission line and the phase detector, and comprises a plurality of compensation capacitors, wherein the compensation capacitors are loaded on the second transmission line in proportion to the number of APDs that have fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: Padraig O'Mathuna, Yong Luo
  • Patent number: 8264678
    Abstract: A light sensor and light sensing system to detect an intensity of incident light and an angle of incidence of the incident light. The light sensor includes a dielectric layer, a plurality of photo detectors coupled relative to the dielectric layer, and a plurality of stacks of opaque slats embedded within the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer is substantially transparent to the incident light. The photo detectors detect the incident light through the dielectric layer. The stacks of opaque slats are approximately parallel to an interface between the dielectric layer and the photo detectors. The stacks of opaque slats define light apertures between adjacent stacks of opaque slats. At least some of the stacks of opaque slats are arranged at a non-zero angle relative to other stacks of the opaque slats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Vitali Souchkov, Rob Van Dalen, Padraig O'Mathuna
  • Publication number: 20110315856
    Abstract: An analog silicon photomultiplier system includes at least one analog pixel comprising a plurality of analog photodiodes (APDs), and a capacitor, a signal generator, a phase detector, and a compensation network. The signal generator is configured to generate and propagate a sinusoidal signal concurrently along first and second transmission lines. A capacitor is loaded on the first transmission line when an APD corresponding to the capacitor detects a photon. The phase detector is coupled with the first and second transmission lines, determines a phase difference between the first transmission line and the second transmission line and calculates a number of APDs that have fired from the phase difference. The compensation network is coupled with the second transmission line and the phase detector, and comprises a plurality of compensation capacitors, wherein the compensation capacitors are loaded on the second transmission line in proportion to the number of APDs that have fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Padraig O'mathuna, Yong Luo