Open AccessCoherent sensing performance comparison of framed and asynchronous GMAPD arrays
Author(s) -
Maureen E. Szymanski,
Edward Watson,
David J. Rabb
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
applied optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.668
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 2155-3165
pISSN - 1559-128X
DOI - 10.1364/ao.425702
Subject(s) - asynchronous communication , photon counting , pixel , detector , optics , computer science , bandwidth (computing) , avalanche photodiode , reset (finance) , blocking (statistics) , ranging , image sensor , physics , electronic engineering , telecommunications , computer network , financial economics , economics , engineering
Single photon counting Geiger mode avalanche photodiode (GMAPD) arrays are typically used for high-resolution 3D ranging. These high-gain, high-bandwidth detectors are also feasible for coherent sensing. GMAPD arrays have two different readout architectures: asynchronous and synchronous (or framed). The individual pixels in asynchronous GMAPD arrays operate independently, reducing the loss due to blocking during the reset time. In contrast, framed GMAPD arrays are prone to saturation as they reset the entire array of pixels simultaneously. This study presents a performance comparison of asynchronous and framed GMAPD arrays for coherent sensing as a function of common system parameters. Expressions for the arm probability and blocking loss are defined to contrast the mechanisms of missed detection opportunities for both types of GMAPD detectors.