RADIATION DETECTOR CIRCUIT HAVING A 1-BIT QUANTIZED OUTPUT

Abstract

Radiation detectors are mounted in an optic focal plane of an infrared radiation sensor system. The radiation detectors produce output signals indicating detected radiation. The output signals are sampled by a sample-and-hold circuit and passed to a 1-bit comparator. The comparator produces a 1-bit signal at a high voltage level for samples of the output signal that are greater than a reference voltage and at a low voltage level for samples of the output signal that are less than the reference voltage. In this manner, the comparator reduces the effects of any gamma spikes on the measurement of intensity of radiation. The 1-bit signal is less susceptible to effects of interference than analog signals in conventional systems and the 1-bit comparator produces this 1-bit signal without consuming a great deal of electrical power. A multiplexor carries such 1-bit signals from the focal plane to a processor over less wires than in conventional systems. The processor receives and integrates the 1-bit signals and produces an output that indicates intensity and angle of detected radiation.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1KEITH H. NORSWORTHY

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