US4743762A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Noise immune infrared readout circuitry and technique
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1986-08-12
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Granted: 1988-05-10
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Expires: 2006-08-12
Abstract
Abstract A new technique, and output encoding circuits using that technique, are disclosed for interfacing between a semiconductor IR detector 23 and associated output electronics 24, 25, 26, which technique and circuits transfer a charge packet onto a sense capacitor 22 that previously stored a reset level signal. The resulting stepped signal change, or delta, in the voltage present on that capacitor 22 is employed as the output signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve D. Gaalema
- 👤 Mary J. Hewitt
- 👤 Arthur L. Morse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/65; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of obtaining a signal from a radiation detector comprising the steps of: conductively coupling together a first capacitor and a second capacitor; resetting the first capacitor and the second capacitor to a predetermined voltage potential; conductively uncoupling the first capacitor from the second capacitor; integrating on the first capacitor for a predetermined interval of time an output signal from a radiation detector to produce a detector signal voltage potential across the first capacitor; determining the magnitude of a quiescent voltage potential across the second capacitor, the quiescent voltage potential being a function of the predetermined voltage level; conductively coupling together the first and the second capacitors; equilibrating the detector signal voltage potential and the quiescent voltage potential to obtain a difference voltage potential; and determining the magnitude of the difference voltage potential, the magnitude of the difference voltage potential being a function of an amount of radiation incident upon the radiation detector during the predetermined interval of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of obtaining a signal from a radiation detector comprising the steps of: conductively coupling together a first capacitor and a second capacitor; resetting the first capacitor and the second capacitor to a predetermined voltage potential; conductively uncoupling the first capacitor from the second capacitor; integrating on the first capacitor for a predetermined interval of time an output signal from a radiation detector to produce a detector signal voltage potential across the first capacitor; determining the magnitude of a quiescent voltage potential across the second capacitor, the quiescent voltage potential being a function of the predetermined voltage level; conductively coupling together the first and the second capacitors; equilibrating the detector signal voltage potential and the quiescent voltage potential to obtain a difference voltage potential; and determining the magnitude of the difference voltage potential, the magnitude of the difference voltage potential being a function of an amount of radiation incident upon the radiation detector during the predetermined interval of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the predetermined interval of time is related to a frame interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the steps of conductively coupling together are accomplished by clocking a gate terminal of a FET device having a source terminal and a drain terminal coupled between the first and the second capacitors for conductively coupling together the first and the second capacitors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-10 | 1991-11-09 | 1992-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-10 | 1995-11-09 | 1996-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-10 | 1999-11-09 | 2000-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |