The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to optical medical sensors used for sensing physiological characteristics of a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes a physiological sensor having a photodetector array with a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from patient tissue. The physiological sensor also includes a multiplexor configured select and output a signal from the photodetector array. The physiological sensor may also include a signal analyzer configured to determine the signal quality for each of the output signals of the photodetector array and select an output signal, based on the signal quality determination, for the calculation of a physiological parameter of the patient. In another embodiment, a system includes a pulse oximetry sensor having a multiplexed array of photodetectors configured to receive light from patient tissue. The system also includes a pulse oximetry monitor having a multiplexor driver to control the multiplexed array of photodetectors as well as a processor configured to control the multiplexor driver and receive the output signals from the array of photodetectors. The processor is also configured to determine the signal quality of each of the output signals from the array of photodetectors, select an output signal based on the signal quality determination, and use the selected signal to calculate a physiological parameter of a patient.
