TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER, TIME-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION METHOD AND GAMMA RAY DETECTION SYSTEM

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a time-to-digital converter, a time-to-digital conversion method and a gamma ray detection system that can achieve improved measurement accuracy and resolution.;SOLUTION: The time-to-digital converter includes a first delay chain circuit that generates a first value corresponding to a time delay between a start signal and a stop signal. The time-to-digital converter also includes at least one second delay chain circuit that generates a second value corresponding to a time delay between a delayed start signal and the stop signal. At least one delay element generates the delayed start signal by applying a predetermined delay to the start signal, and a combining circuit generates an output value based on the first and second values. In the time-to-digital converter according to exemplary embodiments, the output value corresponds to the time delay between the start signal and the stop signal.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT