Title: Time-Of-Flight distance sensor with enhanced dynamic range

Authors: Daniel Van Nieuwenhove, Ward Van Der Tempel, Riemer Grootjans, Maarten Kuijk

Addresses: Electronics and Informatics Department ETRO-LAMI, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussel B-1050, Belgium. ' Electronics and Informatics Department ETRO-LAMI, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussel B-1050, Belgium. ' Electronics and Informatics Department ETRO-LAMI, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussel B-1050, Belgium. ' Electronics and Informatics Department ETRO-LAMI, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussel B-1050, Belgium

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight distance measurement sensor is presented. Detection and mixing is done with an in-substrate Current Assisted Photonic Demodulator. Background light suppression and high dynamic range is achieved using a Variable Transimpedance Amplifier. The pixel also comprises sample and hold circuitry and special low pass filters, for in-pixel averaging, with a 10 Hz to 10 kHz tuneable cut-off frequency. Proof-of-principle measurements on a standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor 0.35 µm prototype measuring 50 μm × 50 μm with a fill factor of 60% are included.

Keywords: background light; image sensors; range finding; TOF; time-of-flight; distance sensors; photonic demodulators; light suppression.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISTA.2008.021287

International Journal of Intelligent Systems Technologies and Applications, 2008 Vol.5 No.3/4, pp.246 - 254

Published online: 18 Nov 2008 *

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