Readout of array-based analog data in semiconductor-based devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image sensor comprising:
- 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;
wherein the parallel sampling circuitry comprises parallel sample and hold and charge mode readout circuitry not including an amplifier and configured to sample the image sensor array using correlated double sampling.
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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
11 Claims
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1. 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;
wherein the parallel sampling circuitry comprises parallel sample and hold and charge mode readout circuitry not including an amplifier and configured to sample the image sensor array using correlated double sampling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. 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;
wherein the gain stage comprises a differential switched capacitor circuitry including at least two programmable capacitors to amplify signal and reset values passed from sequential portions of the parallel sampling circuitry.
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9. 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;
wherein said low fixed-pattern-noise means comprises column parallel correlated double sampling means for sampling signal and reset values from the array means without amplification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification