A CMOS smart pixel for active 3D vision applications

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.