Image sensor with lateral overflow integrating capacitor (LOFIC) for high dynamic range (HDR) and split pixel for light emitting diode (LED) flicker mitigation

Abstract

A pixel array for CMOS image sensors with split pixel design for producing high dynamic range (HDR) images with LED Flicker Mitigation are disclosed herein. The pixel array is comprised of a plurality of pixel cells, each pixel cell comprising a pixel photodiode region having at least a large photosensitive element (LPD) and a small photosensitive element (SPD), wherein the LPD comprises a lateral overflow integrated capacitor (LOFIC). A method of generating an HDR image includes: exposing a large photosensitive element (LPD) of a pixel cell for a first duration of time, exposing a small photosensitive element (SPD) of the pixel cell for a second duration of time, and combining the resulting readouts into a combined pixel readout (CPR). This CPR is then utilized in combination with a generated LED Flicker Map (LFM) bit, and the resulting readout from the SPD to produce a final corrected pixel readout that mitigates LED flicker in the resulting HDR image.

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