A 15 × 15 SPAD array sensor with breakdown-pixel-extraction architecture for efficient data readout

Abstract

This paper proposes a breakdown-pixel-extraction architecture for SPAD sensor. The proposed readout circuit detects the breakdown pixels and their addresses are readout. Therefore, under the faint light environment, this SPAD sensor significantly improves the data readout efficiency. A 15 × 15 SPAD sensor was fabricated in a 0.18 um CMOS process, and a high speed readout is verified by measurement.