Singular Photonics Unveils Litavis: A SPAD Sensor with Integrated In-Pixel Processing

Edinburgh-based semiconductor firm Singular Photonics has introduced Litavis, which it describes as the world’s first single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensor that performs imaging, timing, histogramming and photon-statistics analysis within each pixel. By handling part of the data analysis on the chip, the sensor aims to lower the volume of raw photon data that must be transferred to external processors, a move Singular Photonics says can improve latency and power efficiency for real-time imaging systems.

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Litavis employs a CMOS SPAD architecture with digital photon processing embedded directly in a 256 × 256-pixel array. In addition to continuous photon-counting imaging under low-light conditions, the device can generate timestamped photon events on a 64 × 64 macropixel grid, delivering picosecond-resolution timing alongside full-resolution images. The sensor supports multiple operating modes, including programmable time gating, several time-to-digital converter (TDC) configurations, time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), coincidence detection, and combined timestamping with imaging. Its in-pixel histogramming capability enables statistical analysis of photon arrival distributions, opening pathways for fluorescence-lifetime imaging, dynamic light scattering and quantum-sensing measurements.

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Singular Photonics positions Litavis as a flexible platform rather than a single-purpose device. Potential sectors cited include machine vision, robotics, physical AI, depth sensing, spectroscopy, scientific and medical imaging, quantum technologies and industrial automation. The sensor’s software-configurable architecture is intended to let developers experiment with different acquisition and timing modes on the same hardware, potentially reducing the need for separate sensor designs and shortening development cycles.

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By integrating processing functions that traditionally reside in downstream electronics, Litavis could simplify system architectures and reduce data-bandwidth demands. According to Singular Photonics, this integration may enable more scalable real-time processing, lower power consumption and faster response times across a broad range of imaging applications. The launch marks a notable step toward compact, multifunctional photon-sensing solutions that combine high sensitivity with on-chip analytical capability.

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