Dynamic Range of Passive Quenching Active Reset Circuit for Single Photon Avalanche Diodes

Based on a passive quenching active reset circuit, the dynamic range of single photon avalanche diodes is studied. In our measurement, the dynamic range is limited by the uncertainty of the DCR and the timing resolution of the circuit. With further analysis, we found that the maximum count from the circuit output is limited by the digitization of the signal and the primary factors that limit the dynamic range are the hold-off time, dark count rate and frame rate. These observations are confirmed by simulations. Methods to further improve the dynamic range are also discussed.