A Review of Single-Photon Avalanche Diode Time-of-Flight Imaging Sensor Arrays

3D imaging; 3DIC; CMOS imager; Direct Time-of-Flight (dToF); Depth image sensors; Indirect Time-of-Flight (iToF); Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR); Time-of-Flight (ToF); Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD)

Abstract :

[en] Time-of-flight (ToF) sensors using light pulses or continuous waves allow accurate distance measurements. Three-dimensional imagers can be based on an array of timing or time-gated integration pixels. Single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have been increasingly chosen as the pixel’s photodetector device to develop fast, long-range ToF sensors. Solid-state ToF cameras are replacing other alternatives, showing attractive characteristics and bringing up new potential applications. This paper presents the technical evolution of SPAD ToF 3D imaging sensors, and provides insight into their development over the last few decades. Starting with the first SPAD imagers reported in the early 2000’s, various direct and indirect arrays up to present day state-of-the-art prototypes are referenced. The existing methods, options and possible implementations are described, addressing their advantages and drawbacks, and showing the progress yet to be made. The performance of the different presented approaches are given and compared.

Research Center/Unit :

Montefiore Institute - Montefiore Institute of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - ULiège

Disciplines :

Electrical & electronics engineering

Author, co-author :

Piron, François ^✱; Université de Liège - ULiège > Dép. d'électric., électron. et informat. (Inst.Montefiore) > Systèmes microélectroniques intégrés

Morrison, Daniel ^✱; Monash University > Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering

Yuce, Mehmet Rasit; Monash University > Department of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering

Redouté, Jean-Michel ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Dép. d'électric., électron. et informat. (Inst.Montefiore) > Systèmes microélectroniques intégrés

^✱ These authors have contributed equally to this work.

Language :

English

Title :

A Review of Single-Photon Avalanche Diode Time-of-Flight Imaging Sensor Arrays

Publication date :

2021

Journal title :

IEEE Sensors Journal

ISSN :

1530-437X

eISSN :

1558-1748

Publisher :

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, United States - New York

Special issue title :

Special Issue on 20 Years IEEE Sensors Journal

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

12654-12666

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9264255

Funders :

FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture

Available on ORBi :

since 01 December 2020

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