image sensor

Abstract

An image sensor includes an M pixel sharing circuit, an N pixel sharing circuit and a switching unit. Where M is an integer not less than 2, and N is an integer not less than 2. The switching unit is coupled between the floating diffusion node of the M pixel sharing circuit and the floating diffusion node of the N pixel sharing circuit.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments disclosed herein relate to image sensors, and more particularly, to a multi-pixel sharing circuit with dual readout paths. Background technique [0002] With the development of digital electronic devices, the demand for the overall number of pixels is gradually increasing, but the size of a single pixel must be reduced, which makes the reading of pixels a difficult problem in design. One of the ways to improve the frame rate is to reduce the readout time by using high speed circuits. However, the traditional high-speed circuit design is complex and difficult to implement, and increases cost and wafer area. In view of this, there is an urgent need for a novel image sensor to improve the above problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a multi-pixel sharing circuit, such as an 8-pixel sharing circuit with dual readout channels. [0004] According to an exemplary embodiment of ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, the traditional high-speed circuit design is more complex and difficult to implement, and causes an increase in cost and chip area

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