Feasibility study of Multi-Pixel Photon Counter serving as the detector in digital optical communications

Zhang, Guoqing; Chumakov, Yu. M.; Zhu, Changjun; Liu, Lina

doi:10.1016/j.ijleo.2013.04.060

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…Along with these topologies, pure analogue, parallel connections have been formed into so called multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs), these differ from SPAD arrays as the diode is not used to create a full logic level voltage. A positive feasibility study of MPPC use for communications can be found in [35].…”

Section: Circuit Approaches and Topologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in CMOS Technologies for Optical Communications

Fisher¹

2017

Optical Communication Technology

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As optical communications may soon supplement Wi-Fi technologies, a concept known as visible light communications (VLC), low-cost receivers must provide extreme sensitivity to alleviate attenuation factors and overall power usage within communications link budgets. We present circuits with an advantage over conventional optical receivers, in that gain can be applied within the photodiode thus reducing the need for amplification circuits. To achieve this, single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) can be implemented in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies and have already been investigated in several topologies for VLC. The digital nature of SPADs removes the design effort used for low-noise, high-gain but high-bandwidth analogue circuits. We therefore present one of these circuit topologies, along with some common design and performance metrics. SPAD receivers are however not yet mature prompting research to take low-level parameters up to the communications level.(UKFAT) showing severe restrictions on wireless bandwidth, especially as 4G mobile internet is expanded towards 5G. Ultimately, the radio spectrum is limited at the high-GHz and low-THz bands by atmospheric attenuation, principally the molecular resonances of water and oxygen. There can be no doubt that as a mature technology, optical communication has become ubiquitous and is growing as bandwidth demands rise [5]. However, with that ubiquity and growth, the total electrical power, and indeed the materials and complexity of systems, is also increasing at an extraordinary annual rate.The design of optical communication systems is highly application dependant [1,2,6]. The high-speed, long-distance intercontinental links can use complex, power-hungry and expensive transmitters (Tx) and receivers (Rx). This is principally as the energy per bit (J/b) and cost per bit ($/b) can be kept low through long-term installations with high throughput and multiple end-users. As a direct comparison, hardware for applications such as VLC to mobile phones and personal computers, must be simple, low-power and cheap [3,4]. This is especially true as smart-phones or personal computers imply a single end-user and a bandwidth low enough for simple or minimal forward error correction (FEC) schemes. It also implies battery operation with an expectation of long battery life and short product lifetimes (e.g. the 2-year average for mobiles). In terms of costs, VLC transmitters and receivers must: (i) be comparable to other system level components, i.e. memory, processor or display, and (ii) be suitable for high volume production, i.e. > 100,000 units. Basic receiver operations and research directionsTaking a high-level approach, all optical communication receivers must perform eight basic operations [1, 2, 6]:1. Convert incoming optical signals into an electrical signal, usually electrical current. 2.Amplify and convert the current signal into a form that can be processed easily. 3.Equalize and/or modify the signal to increase bandwidth or remove unwanted artefac...

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Section: Circuit Approaches and Topologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in CMOS Technologies for Optical Communications

Fisher¹

2017

Optical Communication Technology

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“…[6][7][8][9] Hamz et al 6 investigated the use of SiPMs for signal detection in underwater wireless optical communication systems. 9 In Zhang et al, 8 we demonstrated the feasibility of using SiPM as the detector in digital optical communications; the minimum photon number needed was obtained at a given BER (or given Q factor) just based on the Gaussian approximation method, and some of the parasitic effects of SiPM were not considered. Chitnis et al demonstrated an array of single photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) which can constitute SiPM for optical communications.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,5 Recently, the feasibility of serving SiPM as the detector of a receiver in optical communication has attracted people's attention. [6][7][8][9] Hamz et al 6 investigated the use of SiPMs for signal detection in underwater wireless optical communication systems. Gnecchi et al 7 investigate the photon detection efficiency (PDE) and the dynamic range for a digital SiPM-based receiver over a selection of design parameters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chitnis et al demonstrated an array of single photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) which can constitute SiPM for optical communications. 9 In Zhang et al, 8 we demonstrated the feasibility of using SiPM as the detector in digital optical communications; the minimum photon number needed was obtained at a given BER (or given Q factor) just based on the Gaussian approximation method, and some of the parasitic effects of SiPM were not considered. One of the parasitic effects is called optical crosstalk (OC), 1,10,11 which can fire the adjacent pixels of SiPM, thus play a non-negligible role on bit error probability in optical communication systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The BER theoretical model and properties of SiPM‐based receiver for OOK optical communication

Zhang

Liu

Zhu

et al. 2018

Int J Communication

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The bit error rate (BER) theory of silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) based on-off keying optical communication receiver, which introduces photon equivalent threshold is established. The optical crosstalk effect, the dark counts, the amplitude fluctuations of output pulses of SiPM, the baseline fluctuation, the shape of the incident light pulse, the adjacent symbol interference as well as the photon detection efficiency (PDE) are considered in the theory model.The numerical result shows that the average minimum optical power required is much smaller than that of the avalanche photodiode-based receivers under the same conditions. The BER of SiPM-based optical communication receiver is very sensitive to the PDE and optical crosstalk (OC) probability of SiPM.For the application of digital optical communication, a SiPM with high PDE but low OC probability and low dark count rate is a preference, under the premise that the output pulse is fast enough. For the state-of-the-art SiPMs, the dark count rate is small enough to obtain adequate BER, and the OC effect is not a big limitation of the performance of SiPM-based receiver. Moreover, the amplitude fluctuation and the baseline fluctuation of the SiPM-based receiver are not bottlenecks of the performance in practice. KEYWORDSbit error rate, photon equivalent threshold, receiver, silicon photomultiplier

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“…The multi-pixel photon counter (MPPC) photodetector is a new type of photodetection unit which comes with high sensitivity and gain range. It is made of thousands of APDs that are connected to each other using resistors [17].…”

Section: They Tested Two Particles and Presented 3d Graphs For Forwarmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of microscale particles using a microfluidic flow cytometer equipped with a sensitive photodetector

Asrar

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Feasibility study of Multi-Pixel Photon Counter serving as the detector in digital optical communications

Cited by 13 publications

References 8 publications

Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in CMOS Technologies for Optical Communications

Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes in CMOS Technologies for Optical Communications

The BER theoretical model and properties of SiPM‐based receiver for OOK optical communication

Investigation of microscale particles using a microfluidic flow cytometer equipped with a sensitive photodetector

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