Pixel with spatially varying metal route positions
First Claim
1. An image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, the array comprising:
- a first pixel substantially at a first distance from the optical center in a first direction including;
a first metal segment positioned in a second metal layer at a shift distance toward the optical center from a first position; and
a first interlayer connect element coupled between the first metal segment and a first metal layer, the interlayer connect element positioned at the shift distance toward the optical center from a second position, wherein the second position is coincident with the first position; and
a second pixel substantially at the first distance from the optical center in a second direction which is opposite the first direction including;
a second metal segment positioned in the second metal layer at the shift distance toward the optical center from a third position;
a second interlayer connect element coupled between the first and second metal layers, the interlayer connect element positioned at a fourth position which is coincident with the third position; and
a span element coupled to and extending from the second metal segment in generally the second direction and coupled to the second interlayer connect element.
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Abstract
An image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, the array including a first pixel substantially at a first distance from the optical center in a first direction and a second pixel substantially at the first distance from the optical center in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The first pixel includes a first metal segment and a first interlayer connect element. The first metal segment is positioned in a second metal layer at a shift distance toward the optical center from a first position. The first interlayer connect element is coupled between the first metal segment and a first metal layer and is positioned at the shift distance toward the optical center from a second position, wherein the second position is coincident with the first position. The second pixel includes a second metal segment, a second interlayer connect element, and a span element. The second metal segment is positioned in the second metal layer at the shift distance toward the optical center from a third position. The second interlayer connect element is coupled between the first and second metal layers, the interlayer connect element positioned at a fourth position which is coincident with the third position. The span element coupled to and extending from the second metal segment in generally the second direction and coupled to the second interlayer connect element.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, the array comprising:
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a first pixel substantially at a first distance from the optical center in a first direction including;
a first metal segment positioned in a second metal layer at a shift distance toward the optical center from a first position; and
a first interlayer connect element coupled between the first metal segment and a first metal layer, the interlayer connect element positioned at the shift distance toward the optical center from a second position, wherein the second position is coincident with the first position; and
a second pixel substantially at the first distance from the optical center in a second direction which is opposite the first direction including;
a second metal segment positioned in the second metal layer at the shift distance toward the optical center from a third position;
a second interlayer connect element coupled between the first and second metal layers, the interlayer connect element positioned at a fourth position which is coincident with the third position; and
a span element coupled to and extending from the second metal segment in generally the second direction and coupled to the second interlayer connect element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of configuring an image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center and having a first pixel substantially at a first distance from the optical center and in a first direction, and second pixel substantially at the first distance from the optical center and in a second direction which is opposite the first direction, the method comprising:
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positioning a first metal segment of the first pixel in a second metal layer and at a shift distance toward the optical center from the first position;
positioning a first interlayer connect element, which is coupled between the first metal segment and a first metal layer, at the shift distance toward the optical center from a second position, wherein the second position is substantially coincident with the first position;
positioning a second metal segment of the second pixel in the second metal layer and at the shift distance toward the optical center from a third position;
positioning a second interlayer connect element, which is coupled between the first and second metal layers, at a fourth position which is substantially coincident with the third position; and
positioning a span element in generally the second direction from the second metal segment to the second interlayer connect element to couple the second metal segment to the second interlayer connect element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of configuring an image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, each pixel of the array including a metal segment disposed in a second metal layer and an interlayer connect element coupled between the metal segment and a first metal layer, the method comprising:
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modeling a base pixel configuration for each pixel of the array, the base pixel configuration including;
the metal segment at a first position in the second metal layer; and
the first interlayer connect element at a second position which is coincident with the first position; and
for each pixel of the array;
determining a shift distance for the pixel based on a distance of the pixel from the optical center;
determining a direction of the pixel from the optical center;
shifting the metal segment from the first position toward the optical center by the shift distance;
shifting the interlayer connect element from the second position toward the optical center by the shift distance if the pixel is in a first direction from the optical center; and
maintaining the via at the second position and providing a span element to couple the metal segment at the shifted location to the interlayer connect element if the pixel is in a second direction from the optical center. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification