Photon counting receivers with on-pixel signal processing

Geiger mode avalanche PhotoDiodes (GPDs) are being used in latest LADAR receiver designs. Current GPD based FPAs require multiple laser pulses to validate the target and additional off-chip processing to produce range images with low false alarm rate and in real-time. The goal of this program is to develop FPAs with on-pixel signal processing. Phase I effort will address design, fabrication of prototype FPA dies and physical characterization, predict the LADAR receiver metrics, and validate the main steps of the fabrication process for LADAR receivers. Phase II effort will validate and integrate all the steps of the fabrication process, will further develop the critical process steps, design methods to improve on single-photon sensitivity and noise, and will manufacture FPAs for LADAR receivers with enhanced on-pixel signal processing. This new receiver has the potential to decrease the processing time, simplify the frame capture and improve on LADAR image acquisition. BENEFIT: Anticipated Benefits/Potential Commercial Applications of the Research or Development. Anticipated benefits: Better photon utilization efficiency, lower false alarm rate, real-time output, improved 3D image overlapping and alignment Potential applications include: obstacle detection, night vision, time of flight imaging in High-Energy Physics Commercial applications may include: Collision avoidance, robotic driving, material identification and tracking at construction sites