Digital pixel enabled infrared imaging boosts camera speed and performance

摘要

Despite compact design and low power consumption benefits, early analog infrared image sensors had limitations in frame rates due to analog video bandwidth constraints. Digital and digital-pixel-enabled infrared sensors, however, support higher frame rates and ultimately help ease system integration. Infrared image sensors consist of a detector and a readout integrated circuit (ROIC), where the detector interfaces to the ROIC by means of indium bumps deposited on both the detector and ROIC. The two press together, creating a robust mechanical and electrical interface. Early ROICs were exclusively analog and implemented the entire ROIC signal chain using analog circuits only, including output signals.