Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Photocell controls its own optical systems
Reexamination Certificate
2006-12-05
2006-12-05
Allen, Stephone B. (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Photocell controls its own optical systems
C250S214100
Reexamination Certificate
active
07145121
ABSTRACT:
A device for detecting radiation direction is an integrated circuit that includes a first and second phototransistor positioned anti-parallel with respect to each other and a reference phototransistor. The device does not require impinging radiation to be mechanically aligned using pinholes, apertures or mechanical slits. The first phototransistor detects the direction of the radiation in an x-plane, and the second phototransistor detects the direction of the radiation in the y-plane. The first and second phototransistors have two differential pairs. The P type base regions are formed in the <111> plane of the silicon to form opposing sidewalls for receiving radiation signals from a radiation source. A current is induced in the PN junction of each phototransistor, thereby causing a current output on the emitters of the phototransistors. The differential currents represent rectangular coordinates describing the direction of the radiation detected on the <111> plane. The reference transistor is a <100> plane phototransistor, and its single current output is used to normalize the differential outputs of the first and second phototransistors. A system that integrates the detection device to determine the azimuth and elevation (spherical coordinates) of the impinging radiation includes a device that translates the normalized current outputs (rectangular coordinates) into spherical coordinates.
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Venler, Landolt, DeBergh, Arreguit, “Analog CMOS Photosensitive Array for Solar Illumination Monitoring,” Solid State Circuit Conf.
Caprio Frank M.
Holt Angela
Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne PC
Lee Patrick J.
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