Ultrafast correlation image sensor: concept, design, and applications

Abstract

This paper proposes a new type of image sensor on which correlation detectors between incident lights and electronic signals are integrated as a 2-D array. This architecture is characterized by: 1) photodiodes for converting incident photons to currents (multiplicands), 2) one or a few external electric signals (multipliers) which are common to all pixels, 3) multipliers of the photo currents and the external signals, 4) capacitors for accumulating the products as the correlation results, and 5) CCD or MOS switching networks for scanning out the correlation results. Several design and applications of the sensor are demonstrated.