[1] Wu Jin, Yuan Dejun, Wang Can, et al. Design and implementation of GM-APD array readout circuitfor infrared imaging [J]. Journal of Southeast University (English Edition), 2016, 32 (1): 11-15. [doi:10.3969/j.issn.1003-7985.2016.01.003]

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Design and implementation of GM-APD array readout circuitfor infrared imaging()

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Journal of Southeast University (English Edition)[ISSN:1003-7985/CN:32-1325/N]

Volumn:

32

Issue:

2016 1

Page:

11-15

Research Field:

Circuit and System

Publishing date:

2016-03-20

Info

Title:

Design and implementation of GM-APD array readout circuitfor infrared imaging

Author(s):

Wu Jin¹;  Yuan Dejun¹;  2;  Wang Can¹;  2;  Chen Hao¹;  2;  Zheng Lixia²;  Sun Weifeng²

¹Wuxi Branch School, Southeast University, Wuxi 214135, China
²School of Integrated Circuit, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China

Keywords:

infrared 3D(three-dimensional)imaging;  readout integrated circuit(ROIC);  Geiger mode avalanche photodiode;  active quenching circuit(AQC);  time-to-digital converter(TDC)

PACS:

TN4

DOI:

10.3969/j.issn.1003-7985.2016.01.003

Abstract:

Based on an avalanche photodiode(APD)detecting array working in Geiger mode(GM-APD), a high-performance infrared sensor readout integrated circuit(ROIC)used for infrared 3D(three-dimensional)imaging is proposed. The system mainly consists of three functional modules, including active quenching circuit(AQC), time-to-digital converter(TDC)circuit and other timing controller circuit. Each AQC and TDC circuit together constitutes the pixel circuit. Under the cooperation with other modules, the current signal generated by the GM-APD sensor is detected by the AQC, and the photon time-of-flight(TOF)is measured and converted to a digital signal output to achieve a better noise suppression and a higher detection sensitivity by the TDC. The ROIC circuit is fabricated by the CSMC 0.5 μm standard CMOS technology. The array size is 8×8, and the center distance of two adjacent cells is 100 μm. The measurement results of the chip show that the performance of the circuit is good, and the chip can achieve 1 ns time resolution with a 250 MHz reference clock, and the circuit can be used in the array structure of the infrared detection system or focal plane array(FPA).

References:

[1] Zheng Lixia, Wu Jin, Shi Longxing, et al. Active quenching circuit for a InGaAs single-photon avalanche diode[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2014, 35(4): 045011-1-045011-6.
[2] Zheng Lixia, Yang Junhao, Liu Zhao, et al. Design and implementation of GM-APD array readout integrated circuit for infrared 3D imaging[C]//International Symposium on Photoelectronic Detection and Imaging. Beijing, China, 2013: 890744-1-890744-10.
[3] Stoppa D, Gonzo L, Simony A. Scannerless 3D imaging sensors[C]//IEEE International Workshop on Imaging Systems and Techniques. Niagara Falls, Canada, 2005: 58-61. [4] Lewis E N, Treado P J, Reeder R C, et al. Fourier transform spectroscopic imaging using an infrared focal-plane array detector[J]. Analytical Chemistry, 1995, 67(19): 3377-3381.
[5] Itzler M A, Entwistle M, Krishnamachari U, et al. SWIR Geiger-mode APD detectors and cameras for 3D imaging[C]//Proc of SPIE. Baltimore, ML, USA, 2014: 91140F-1-91140F-12.
[6] Aull B F, Loomis A H, Young D J, et al. Three-dimensional imaging with arrays of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes[C]//Proc of SPIE. San Jose, CA, USA, 2004, 5353: 105-116.
[7] Aull B F, Burns J, Chen C, et al. Laser radar imager based on 3D integration of Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes with two SOI timing circuit layers[C]//2006 IEEE International Solid State Circuits Conference. 2006: 1179-1188.
[8] Itzler M A, Jiang X D, Entwistle M, et al. Advances in InGaAsP-based avalanche diode single photon detectors[J]. Journal of Modern Optics, 2011, 58(3/4): 174-200.
[9] Vaidyanthan M, Joshi A. Xue S, et al. High performance ladar focal plane arrays for 3D range imaging[C]//2004 IEEE Proceedings of Aerospace Conference. Big Sky, MT, USA, 2004: 1776-1781.
[10] Niclass C, Soga M, Matsubara H, et al. A 100-m range 10-frame/s 340×96-pixel time-of-flight depth sensor in 0.18-μm CMOS[J]. IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuit, 2013, 48(2): 559-572. DOI:10.1109/JSSC.2012.2227607.

Memo

Memo:

Biography: Wu Jin(1965—), male, doctor, professor, 13912987652@163.com.
Foundation items: The Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK2012559), Qing Lan Project of Jiangsu Province.
Citation: Wu Jin, Yuan Dejun, Wang Can, et al. Design and implementation of GM-APD array readout circuit for infrared imaging[J].Journal of Southeast University(English Edition), 2016, 32(1):11-15.DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1003-7985.2016.01.003.

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