Patent ID: 7501634

Claim:
A large format imager, comprising: an array of pixels for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals; and trigger means for accepting an optical pulse so as to trigger the pixels to generate an integration period; said pixels each including, a photodiode to convert light intensity of high-frequency radiation into an electrical charge, a reset switch to reset said photodiode, a select switch to enable sampling of the electrical charge produced by said photodiode, a photoswitch to convert an optical trigger pulse, received from said trigger means, into an electrical signal, an inverter, operatively connected to said photoswitch, to produce a control signal corresponding to the electrical signal produced by said photoswitch, and control circuitry, in response to said control signal, to locally generate integration control signals, said integration control signals controlling a start of an integration period for said photodiode, a duration of the integration period for said photodiode, and the sampling of the electrical charge produced by said photodiode.