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Photon counting and direct ToF camera prototype based on CMOS SPADs | IEEE Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

Photon counting and direct ToF camera prototype based on CMOS SPADs


Abstract:

This paper presents a camera prototype for 2D/3D image capture in low illumination conditions based on single-photon avalanche-diode (SPAD) image sensor for direct time-o...Show More

Abstract:

This paper presents a camera prototype for 2D/3D image capture in low illumination conditions based on single-photon avalanche-diode (SPAD) image sensor for direct time-offlight (d-ToF). The imager is a 64×64 array with in-pixel TDC for high frame rate acquisition. Circuit design techniques are combined to ensure successful 3D image capturing under low sensitivity conditions and high level of uncorrelated noise such as dark count and background illumination. Among them an innovative time gated front-end for the SPAD detector, a reverse start-stop scheme and real-time image reconstruction at Ikfps are incorporated by the imager. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ToF camera based on a SPAD sensor fabricated and proved for 3D image reconstruction in a standard CMOS process without any opto-flavor or high voltage option. It has a depth resolution of 1cm at an illumination power from less than 6nW/mm2 down to 0.1nW/mm2.
Date of Conference: 28-31 May 2017
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 28 September 2017
ISBN Information:
Electronic ISSN: 2379-447X
Conference Location: Baltimore, MD, USA

I. Introduction

Single-Photon Avalanche-Diode (SPAD) image sensors have experienced a tremendous evolution in the last years. The performance of the detector itself has been constantly improved thanks to customized CMOS processes optimized for this kind of photodiodes [1]. Their ability to precisely measure the time-of-flight has fueled a diversity of applications, among them 3D vision or 3D ranging. Nowadays smart pixels based on SPADs are becoming a leading technology for ToF imagers. They have been approved even by a very demanding sector such as automotive [2].

References

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