Readout of array-based analog data in semiconductor-based devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An integrated circuit comprising:
- a parallel sampling circuitry to receive array-based analog data in parallel;
a pipelined amplification circuitry to serially amplify the received array-based analog data; and
an analog-to-digital converter to convert the amplified array-based analog data into digital data.
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Abstract
Systems and techniques to readout array-based analog data with reduced power requirements and reduced fixed pattern noise. An image sensor on an integrated circuit may include a sensor array to provide array-based analog data, a parallel sampling circuitry to receive the array-based analog data in parallel, a pipelined amplification circuitry to serially amplify the received array-based analog data, and an analog-to-digital converter to convert the amplified array-based analog data into digital data.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. An integrated circuit comprising:
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a parallel sampling circuitry to receive array-based analog data in parallel;
a pipelined amplification circuitry to serially amplify the received array-based analog data; and
an analog-to-digital converter to convert the amplified array-based analog data into digital data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39)
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17. A method comprising:
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forming an image sensor array on a substrate including a semiconductor material;
forming a sampling circuitry on the substrate to receive analog data from the image sensor array in parallel;
forming a pipelined gain stage on the substrate to serially amplify the received analog data; and
forming a pipelined analog-to-digital converter on the substrate to convert the amplified analog data into digital data.
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27. An image sensor comprising:
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an image sensor array;
parallel sampling circuitry coupled with the image sensor array; and
a serial readout circuitry coupled with the parallel sampling circuitry, the serial readout circuitry including a gain stage and an analog-to-digital converter.
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36. An image sensor comprising:
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array means for converting received photons into electrical signals;
low fixed-pattern-noise means for sampling the electrical signals; and
serial means for amplifying the sampled electrical signals separate from said parallel means.
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40. An active pixel sensor camera system comprising:
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an active pixel sensor array comprising rows and columns of elements configured to receive photons and form an electrical representation of the received photons;
a parallel sampling circuitry coupled with the active pixel sensor array and configured to sequentially sample groups of the elements to obtain analog voltages corresponding to the electrical representations;
a pipelined gain stage coupled with the parallel sampling circuitry and configured to serially amplify the obtained analog voltages;
a pipelined analog-to-digital converter coupled with the pipelined gain stage and configured to convert the amplified analog voltages into digital pixel data and to transfer the digital pixel data to an output port; and
an image display device coupled with the output port and having a display screen, the image display device configured to transfer pixel data from the output port, such that the device arranges the pixel data in sequential order of rows to display a visual image, corresponding to the received photons, on the display screen. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification