The Algorithm Design under Dead Time Limit in Multi-pixel Photon Counter

Due to its advantages of high sensitivity and low power consumption, Single-photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) plays an important role in visible light communication. The Multi-pixel Photon Counter (MPPC) based on an array of SPADs has a larger dynamic detection range and has reduced the effect of dead time. However, the existence of dead time leads to a nonlinear response relationship between the pulse of MPPC and the incident photon. In this paper, the maximum likelihood detection algorithm of MPPC under the dead time limit is derived and the corresponding bit error rate simulation diagram is given. Finally, the experiment verifies that the dead time effect makes the output pulse of MPPC not the standard Poisson distribution, while the maximum likelihood detection algorithm based on nonlinear response relation of MPPC synthesized the effect of dead time, which makes the bit error rate performance better.