TACImager: A high frame rate 320 x 256 SPAD time to amplitude converter array with adjustable time zoom

Neil Finlayson; Luca Parmesan; Neale A.W. Dutton; Neil J. Calder; Robert K. Henderson

doi:10.1117/12.2241381

TACImager: A high frame rate 320 x 256 SPAD time to amplitude converter array with adjustable time zoom

Neil Finlayson, Luca Parmesan, Neale A.W. Dutton, Neil J. Calder, Robert K. Henderson

School of Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) in the form of high-resolution imaging pixel arrays are used in 3D cameras, motion-tracking, biomedical and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) applications. Rapid spatial and temporal zoom onto objects of interest is an attractive feature. We present here novel high-speed time-zoom functionality achieved with the digital readout mode of the TACImager, a 256 x 256 TCSPC image sensor array based on sample and hold Time to Amplitude Converter (TAC) pixels. A column-parallel flash Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is implemented in the TACImager to support fast digital readout, allowing per-pixel, 3-bin TCSPC histogramming at frame rates of 4 kfps. New results related to this high-speed mode of operation are presented. The TACImager utilises a global ramp voltage as a timing reference, allowing time-zoom to be achieved through dynamic adjustment of comparator voltages, ramp offset voltages and ramp waveforms. We demonstrate the influence of fixed pattern noise in the pixels and column parallel ADCs on the results.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies
Editors	Keith L. Lewis, Richard C. Hollins
Publisher	SPIE
Volume	9992
ISBN (Electronic)	9781510603882
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2241381
Publication status	Published - 25 Oct 2016
Event	Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies - Edinburgh, United Kingdom Duration: 28 Sept 2016 → 29 Sept 2016

Conference

Conference	Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	Edinburgh
Period	28/09/16 → 29/09/16

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

fixed pattern noise
Single Photon Avalanche Diode
Single Photon Counting
SPAD
TAC
TCSPC
Time to Amplitude Converter
time-of-flight

Access to Document

10.1117/12.2241381

Cite this

@inproceedings{ad9bf70319c1494aa5f922a08c17af8c,

title = "TACImager: A high frame rate 320 x 256 SPAD time to amplitude converter array with adjustable time zoom",

abstract = "Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) in the form of high-resolution imaging pixel arrays are used in 3D cameras, motion-tracking, biomedical and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) applications. Rapid spatial and temporal zoom onto objects of interest is an attractive feature. We present here novel high-speed time-zoom functionality achieved with the digital readout mode of the TACImager, a 256 x 256 TCSPC image sensor array based on sample and hold Time to Amplitude Converter (TAC) pixels. A column-parallel flash Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is implemented in the TACImager to support fast digital readout, allowing per-pixel, 3-bin TCSPC histogramming at frame rates of 4 kfps. New results related to this high-speed mode of operation are presented. The TACImager utilises a global ramp voltage as a timing reference, allowing time-zoom to be achieved through dynamic adjustment of comparator voltages, ramp offset voltages and ramp waveforms. We demonstrate the influence of fixed pattern noise in the pixels and column parallel ADCs on the results.",

keywords = "fixed pattern noise, Single Photon Avalanche Diode, Single Photon Counting, SPAD, TAC, TCSPC, Time to Amplitude Converter, time-of-flight",

author = "Neil Finlayson and Luca Parmesan and Dutton, {Neale A.W.} and Calder, {Neil J.} and Henderson, {Robert K.}",

note = "Acceptance date set to exclude from REF OA Policy ; Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies ; Conference date: 28-09-2016 Through 29-09-2016",

year = "2016",

month = oct,

day = "25",

doi = "10.1117/12.2241381",

language = "English",

volume = "9992",

editor = "Lewis, {Keith L.} and Hollins, {Richard C.}",

booktitle = "Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies",

publisher = "SPIE",

address = "United States",

}

Finlayson, N, Parmesan, L, Dutton, NAW, Calder, NJ & Henderson, RK 2016, TACImager: A high frame rate 320 x 256 SPAD time to amplitude converter array with adjustable time zoom. in KL Lewis & RC Hollins (eds), Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies. vol. 9992, 99920O, SPIE, Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 28/09/16. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2241381

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T2 - Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies

AU - Finlayson, Neil

AU - Parmesan, Luca

AU - Dutton, Neale A.W.

AU - Calder, Neil J.

AU - Henderson, Robert K.

N1 - Acceptance date set to exclude from REF OA Policy

PY - 2016/10/25

Y1 - 2016/10/25

N2 - Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) in the form of high-resolution imaging pixel arrays are used in 3D cameras, motion-tracking, biomedical and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) applications. Rapid spatial and temporal zoom onto objects of interest is an attractive feature. We present here novel high-speed time-zoom functionality achieved with the digital readout mode of the TACImager, a 256 x 256 TCSPC image sensor array based on sample and hold Time to Amplitude Converter (TAC) pixels. A column-parallel flash Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is implemented in the TACImager to support fast digital readout, allowing per-pixel, 3-bin TCSPC histogramming at frame rates of 4 kfps. New results related to this high-speed mode of operation are presented. The TACImager utilises a global ramp voltage as a timing reference, allowing time-zoom to be achieved through dynamic adjustment of comparator voltages, ramp offset voltages and ramp waveforms. We demonstrate the influence of fixed pattern noise in the pixels and column parallel ADCs on the results.

AB - Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) in the form of high-resolution imaging pixel arrays are used in 3D cameras, motion-tracking, biomedical and time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) applications. Rapid spatial and temporal zoom onto objects of interest is an attractive feature. We present here novel high-speed time-zoom functionality achieved with the digital readout mode of the TACImager, a 256 x 256 TCSPC image sensor array based on sample and hold Time to Amplitude Converter (TAC) pixels. A column-parallel flash Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) is implemented in the TACImager to support fast digital readout, allowing per-pixel, 3-bin TCSPC histogramming at frame rates of 4 kfps. New results related to this high-speed mode of operation are presented. The TACImager utilises a global ramp voltage as a timing reference, allowing time-zoom to be achieved through dynamic adjustment of comparator voltages, ramp offset voltages and ramp waveforms. We demonstrate the influence of fixed pattern noise in the pixels and column parallel ADCs on the results.

KW - fixed pattern noise

KW - Single Photon Avalanche Diode

KW - Single Photon Counting

KW - SPAD

KW - TAC

KW - TCSPC

KW - Time to Amplitude Converter

KW - time-of-flight

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M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85011004606

VL - 9992

BT - Emerging Imaging and Sensing Technologies

A2 - Lewis, Keith L.

A2 - Hollins, Richard C.

PB - SPIE

Y2 - 28 September 2016 through 29 September 2016

ER -

TACImager: A high frame rate 320 x 256 SPAD time to amplitude converter array with adjustable time zoom

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Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

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