Patent
CMOS active pixel sensor with improved dynamic range and method of operation
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TLDR
In this paper, the output of a photodetector (e.g., photodiode) receiving incident light and generating an output is optimized for a linear response to high light level input signals and a relatively higher gain, lower dynamic range amplifier circuit is also provided.Abstract:
A CMOS imaging array includes a plurality of individual pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each pixel is constructed the same and includes a photodetector (e.g., photodiode) receiving incident light and generating an output. A first, relatively lower gain, wide dynamic range amplifier circuit is provided responsive to the output of the photodetector. The first circuit is optimized for a linear response to high light level input signals. A second, relatively higher gain, lower dynamic range amplifier circuit is also provided which is responsive to the output of the photodetector. The second circuit is optimized to provide a high signal to noise ratio for low light level input signals. A first output select circuit is provided for directing the output of the first circuit to a first output multiplexer. A second output select circuit is provided for directing the output of the second circuit to a second output multiplexer. Thus, separate outputs of the first and second circuits are provided for each of the individual pixel sensors of the CMOS imaging array. Alternative embodiments incorporate two ore more photodetectors and two or more amplifier circuits and output select circuits. Three photodetectors and three amplifier circuits are useful for an embodiment where the sensor includes a three-color filter matrix.read more
Citations
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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Wide intrascene dynamic range CMOS APS using dual sampling
Orly Yadid-Pecht,Eric R. Fossum +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, a CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) that achieves wide intrascene dynamic range using dual sampling is reported, which achieves an intrascenesensitivity of 109 dB without nonlinear companding.
Patent
Dual conversion gain imagers
TL;DR: In this article, a dual conversion gain element is coupled between each floating diffusion node and a respective capacitor to switch in the capacitance of the capacitor to change the conversion gain of the diffusion node from a first conversion gain to a second conversion gain.
Patent
High dynamic range pixel amplifier
TL;DR: A pixel cell with increased dynamic range is formed by providing a floating diffusion region having a variable capacitance, controlled by at least one gate having source and drain regions commonly connected to the floating diffusion regions as mentioned in this paper.
Patent
Dynamic range extension for CMOS image sensors
TL;DR: An image sensor for capturing and producing an image includes a photoreceptor array that receives light and produces a signal for each pixel of the image as discussed by the authors, and the image sensor further includes amplification circuitry that amplifies the signals.
Patent
CMOS image sensor with extended dynamic range
TL;DR: In this paper, the difference between two reset levels of the same row readout period is used to calculate the effective pixel signal level from the difference, and the response to the difference can be the application of a series of digital adds and digital multiplies.