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Imaging sensor pixel with floating diffusion switch, and system and operation method thereof

An imaging sensor and pixel technology, which is applied to the components of TV systems, image communication, electric solid-state devices, etc., can solve the problems of pixel saturation or serious overexposure

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-23
OMNIVISION TECH INC
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

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Problems solved by technology

For conventional image sensors, the conversion gain can be increased by reducing the capacitance of the FD node, however as the pixel cell size shrinks and the capacitance of the FD node decreases, pixel saturation or overexposure in bright environments becomes more severe

Method used

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  • Imaging sensor pixel with floating diffusion switch, and system and operation method thereof
  • Imaging sensor pixel with floating diffusion switch, and system and operation method thereof
  • Imaging sensor pixel with floating diffusion switch, and system and operation method thereof

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Embodiment Construction

[0018] Described herein are embodiments of image sensors and methods of operation that include pixel cells with floating diffusion switches to enhance the dynamic range of an image capture device. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein may be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

[0019] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, process, block or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in one embodi...

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Abstract

Embodiments of the invention describe utilizing dual floating diffusion switches to enhance the dynamic range of pixels having multiple photosensitive elements. The insertion of dual floating diffusion switches between floating diffusion nodes of said photosensitive elements allows the conversion gain to be controlled and selected for each photosensitive element of a pixel. Furthermore, in embodiments utilizing a photosensitive element for high conversion gains, the value of high conversion gain for the respective photosensitive element maybe increased due to the separation between floating diffusion nodes, enabling high sensitivity for low-light conditions.

Description

technical field [0001] This disclosure relates generally to image capture devices, and in particular, but not exclusively, to enhancing the dynamic range of image capture devices. Background technique [0002] Image sensors have become ubiquitous. They have been widely used in digital still cameras, cellular phones, security cameras, as well as in medical, automotive and other applications. The technology used to fabricate image sensors, and in particular complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor ("CMOS") image sensors ("CIS"), has continued to develop rapidly. For example, demands for higher resolution and lower power consumption have encouraged further miniaturization and integration of these image sensors. [0003] figure 1 is a circuit diagram illustrating the pixel circuitry of two four-transistor ("4T") pixel cells Pa and Pb (shown as pixel cells 100 and 150 , respectively) within an image sensor array. Pixel cells Pa and Pb are arranged in two rows and one column, a...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H04N5/369H04N5/378H01L27/146
CPCH01L27/14641H04N5/378H04N5/37457H01L27/146H04N5/3559H04N5/35563H04N5/369H01L27/14612H04N25/585H04N25/59H04N25/778
Inventor 柳政澔
Owner OMNIVISION TECH INC
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