An Ambient-Adaptive Voltage Scaling Driver Enabling Quasi-Linear Photon Detection With 131 dB Dynamic Range in Large-Format SPAD Arrays

This paper proposes an Ambient-Adaptive Voltage Scaling (AAVS) driver for SPAD arrays that maintains quasi-linear photon detection across a wide range of illumination levels. The proposed system integrates an Adaptive Feedback-Controlled (AFC) V${}_{\mathbf {EX}}$modulator that continuously senses photon flux to regulate the excess bias voltage (V${}_{\mathbf {EX}}$) relative to the actual breakdown voltage (V${}_{\mathbf {BD}}$), coupled with a hybrid boost converter featuring adaptive V${}_{\mathbf {EX}}$calibration to generate 27.1–27.6V with sub-millivolt ripple. Measurement results demonstrate a 131 dB dynamic range ($10^{10}$–$10^{17}$photons/cm${}^{2}\cdot $s), 92.3% peak efficiency, and robust scalability supporting 128-SPAD arrays. The AAVS architecture enhances sensitivity under low-light conditions while effectively preventing saturation in high-light scenarios.