A 64×64 SPAD-based 3D Image Sensor with Adaptive Pixel Sensitivity and Asynchronous Readout

This paper presents a novel 3D image sensor based on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) with asynchronous readout and adaptive pixel sensitivity. The proposed sensor architecture is capable of acquiring both intensity and depth information about the scene in an efficient manner. The sensor pixel sensitivity is adaptively adjusted based on the illumination of the scene, optimizing the readout channel bandwidth. The asynchronous readout scheme reduces the readout time and data rate since information of meaningless pixels is not conveyed off-chip, allowing the sensor to operate at a high frame rate and reducing the massive data throughput of conventional SPAD-based sensors.