AFE/TG Bit Slice Output Mode for CCD Jitter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analog front end and timing generator (AFE/TG) integrated circuits for CCD image sensors are inflexible and require frequent modifications to support advanced CCD sensors, lacking features like stability control and efficient communication protocols, leading to inefficiencies and image degradation due to jitter during video capture.
Innovation Solution
A versatile AFE/TG integrated circuit with a processor that executes programs to generate customized timing signals, includes a delay locked loop for precise timing, and communicates with a microcontroller to adjust signals on a frame-by-frame basis, reducing jitter and supporting multiple CCD sensors without the need for extensive redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If AFE/TG integrated circuit uses fixed timing signal generation, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to advanced CCD sensors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a processor that executes programmable timing signal generation, allowing the AFE/TG to dynamically adapt to different CCD sensor requirements. The timing signals can be customized through software programming rather than requiring hardware changes, enabling the same device to support multiple advanced CCD sensor types with varying timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in timing signal characteristics (such as pulse width, frequency, and phase) through programmable control. This allows the AFE/TG to adjust timing parameters to match different CCD sensor specifications without physical modification, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture.
2Reliability
If AFE/TG communicates with microcontroller via traditional bus, then ease of operation is maintained, but image degradation due to jitter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional serial communication protocols with a parallel communication interface between the AFE/TG and microcontroller. This substitution reduces the communication time and minimizes jitter in timing signal transmission, thereby improving image quality stability while maintaining ease of operation through simplified data transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of timing parameters and synchronization signals before actual image capture begins. The AFE/TG pre-adjusts timing signals based on sensor characteristics and communication protocols, ensuring that timing accuracy is established beforehand and reducing jitter during the actual capture operation.
3Speed
If AFE/TG outputs complete digitized data words, then data完整性 is maintained, but communication speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments complete digitized data words into smaller units and transmits them in parallel through multiple communication lines simultaneously. This segmentation allows the AFE/TG to output data in parallel rather than sequentially, dramatically increasing communication speed while maintaining data integrity through synchronized parallel transmission of data fragments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from serial data transmission (one dimension) to parallel data transmission (multiple dimensions). By utilizing multiple communication lines to transmit different parts of the data word simultaneously, the system achieves higher communication speed without compromising data完整性, as all data segments are transmitted in lockstep synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A versatile analog front end and timing generator (AFE/TG) integrated circuit has output modes wherein multiple identical AFE/TGs output digitized sensor data to a single digital image processor (DIP) without intervening discrete multiplexing circuitry. In one embodiment, the AFE/TG is operable in either a bit slice mode or a time slice mode. In the bit slice mode, each of the multiple AFE/TGs sections up a word of pixel information into subsets of bits, and then communicates the subsets in parallel, one subset after another, across point-to-point connections to corresponding terminals of the DIP. The DIP captures the subsets of bits, and reassembles the subsets to recreate the word of pixel information. Each of the multiple AFE/TGs communicates words of pixel information to a different set of terminals on the DIP in this way, thereby avoiding timing complications, loading and/or expense associated with communicating the pixel information using time multiplexing techniques.