Patent ID: 7489024

Claim:
An infrared uncooled sensor and focal plane array (FPA) device able to provide improved cost, yield and performance by full use of Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) components, the device comprising: a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) bulk selectively micromachined to achieve thermal isolation; at least one element of thermally isolated Metal Oxide Semiconductor (TMOS) transistors with temperature dependent electrical parameters; electrical and thermal conductors independently connecting said transistors to said single crystal silicon bulk; a thin layer for the absorption of infrared radiation; and a CMOS chip with readout circuits for sensor signal multiplexing, amplification and processing, wherein said TMOS transistors and said electrical conductors are covered with layers and structures that absorb infrared radiation and thus respond with temperature changes that are transduced into a meaningful electrical signal by said transistors and said supporting electronic circuits.