US 12,085,649 B2
Imaging systems with single-photon avalanche diodes and ambient light level detection
Ivan Koudar, Modrice (CZ); and Jan Ledvina, Tovacov (CZ)
Assigned to SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC, Scottsdale, AZ (US)
Filed by SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/948,269.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/963,648, filed on Jan. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0223398 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. G01S 17/89 (2020.01); G01S 7/4863 (2020.01); G01S 17/14 (2020.01)
CPC G01S 17/89 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4863 (2013.01); G01S 17/14 (2020.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a semiconductor device that includes a single-photon avalanche diode;
signal processing circuitry that comprises a first comparator; and
ambient light level detection circuitry that comprises a plurality of comparators that are different than the first comparator and a plurality of counters, wherein each counter is coupled to a corresponding comparator of the plurality of comparators, wherein the first comparator and the plurality of comparators receive a common output signal from the semiconductor device, wherein the common output signal is an analog output signal, and wherein the ambient light level detection circuitry is configured to determine an ambient light level based on the common output signal.