The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 29, 2026
Filed:
Jan. 04, 2023
Applicant:
Stmicroelectronics (Alps) Sas, Grenoble, FR;
Inventor:
Xavier Branca, Sassenage, FR;
Assignee:
STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS, Grenoble, FR;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01S 7/4865 (2020.01); G01J 1/02 (2006.01); G01J 1/44 (2006.01); H02M 3/155 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G01S 7/4865 (2013.01); G01J 1/0219 (2013.01); G01J 1/44 (2013.01); H02M 3/1552 (2021.05); G01J 2001/442 (2013.01); G01J 2001/4466 (2013.01);
Abstract
A light sensor includes an integrated circuit chip and a boost DC/DC converter. The integrated circuit chip supports an array of pixels, each pixel including a SPAD. The boost DC/DC converter delivers to the SPADs a bias potential capable of placing the SPADs in Geiger mode. The boost DC/DC converter includes an inductive element, a first switch, a second switch, and a circuit for controlling on/off switching of the first switch. The inductive element and the first and second switches are arranged outside of the integrated circuit chip while the control circuit forms part of the integrated circuit chip.