A CMOS smart pixel for active 3D vision applications

Author

Viarani, Luigi ; Stoppa, David ; Gonzo, Lorenro ; Gottardi, Massimo ; Simoni, Andrea

Author_Institution

Integrated Opt. Sensors Group, ITC-IRST, Trento, Italy

Volume

1

fYear

2002

fDate

2002

Firstpage

11

Abstract

Fast collection of three-dimensional (3D) data sets is required in a growing number of applications like robotic guidance, security and automotive. Scannerless time-of-flight (TOF) based active 3D vision systems are capable of collecting depth profiles of entire scenes in fractions of seconds but have the disadvantage of using high voltage and expensive electronic components. In this contribution we describe the design and test of an integrated smart pixel with 3D vision capability, which attempts to address this kind of problem. The pixel, fabricated in standard 0.6 μm CMOS technology, is suitable to be used in scannerless ranging systems. By means of a pulsed laser source, distance estimation is obtained by integrating the back-reflected signal in successive time windows.

Keywords

CMOS image sensors; active vision; photodiodes; robot vision; smart pixels; 0.6 micron; CMOS; active 3D vision applications; back-reflected signal; distance estimation; pulsed laser source; ranging systems; robotic guidance; scannerless time-of-flight systems; security; smart pixel; successive time windows; Automotive engineering; CMOS technology; Data security; Electronic components; Layout; Machine vision; Robots; Smart pixels; Testing; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Sensors, 2002. Proceedings of IEEE

Print_ISBN

0-7803-7454-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICSENS.2002.1036978

Filename

1036978