Professor of Electronic Imaging, University of Edinburgh
Professor Robert Henderson’s innovations in the design of single photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) devices using a standard industrial CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) fabrication process have had major impact for optical distance sensing and have been globally adopted in smartphones and other technologies. He designed the first large two-dimensional arrays of SPADs (single-photon avalanche diodes), together with associated photon-timing and signal-processing electronics that were fabricated and marketed by ST Microelectronics as a laser auto-focus assist component for mobile devices. Over two billion of these novel products have been shipped and are integrated into over 170 different smartphone models for range-finding, gesture recognition and biomedical applications.
Professor Robert Henderson FREng FRSE