Stmicroelectronics (research & Development) Limited

Stmicroelectronics Gmbh

Stmicroelectronics (grenoble 2) Sas

Stmicroelectronics S.a.

Stmicroelectronics France

Stmicroelectronics (rousset) Sas

Donald Baxter

Stuart McLeod

Pascal Mellot

Olivier Pothier

Sam Lee

John Kevin Moore

Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy

Darin K Winterton

Andrew Hodgson

Gordon Lunn

Kenneth Dargan

Justin Richardson

Thierry Lebihen

Francois De Salivet De Fouchecour

Stuart Mcleod

A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.

Method and apparatus for processing a histogram output from a detector sensor

A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.

Methods and devices to identify focal objects

An example device has optical emitters for emitting incident radiation within a field of view and optical detectors for receiving reflected radiation. Based on the incident radiation and the reflected radiation, a histogram indicative of a number of photon events that are detected by the optical detectors over time bins is generated. The time bins is indicative of time differences between emission of the incident radiation and reception of the reflected radiation. The device further includes; a processor programmed to iteratively process the histogram by executing an expectation-maximization algorithm to detect a presence of objects located in the field of view of the device.

Device and method for processing a histogram of arrival times in an optical sensor

A range detector device may include a pulsed light source configured to emit pulsed light to an object, a detector configured to receive reflected pulsed light from the object, and a processor cooperating with the pulsed light source and the detector. The processor may be configured to generate a measured range value to the object, and generate an estimated statistical value for a spread of possible range values based upon a characteristic of the pulsed light source.

Range detector device with estimated spread value and related methods

A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse.

Optical signal generation in a SPAD array based on generation of a target phase value dependent upon an ambient count rate

The image sensor includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a photo-diode, for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value. Read circuitry is included for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order. The image sensor may be configured such that a counter incorporates the memory, and the counter may be adapted to operate as a shift register. The counters of two or more pixels may be connected to form one or more chains such that digital values can be read out in a bit-serial manner.

Image sensor having a pixel array with serial readout

An image sensor power distribution arrangement includes a sensing portion having a first contact at a first edge thereof and a second contact at a second edge thereof, and a control portion. A first power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the first contact. A second power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the second contact, and to the control portion.

Image sensor power distribution

Growing community of inventors

Stirling, United Kingdom

Donald Baxter