Avalanche Photodiode Pixel Layout for Crosstalk Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for correcting output signals from faulty pixels in imaging devices often result in low-accuracy correction, leading to degradation of image quality due to reliance on fixed correction conditions and inadequate handling of light-induced crosstalk.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a photoelectric device featuring a two-dimensional array of pixels, including an aperture pixel unit and light shielded pixels, generates a crosstalk correction pattern to accurately correct output signals by accounting for the impact of light-induced crosstalk, using a processor to process signals from both aperture and light shielded pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If output signals from surrounding pixels are used to correct defective pixels, then correction can be performed, but correction accuracy is low and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into three distinct types: aperture pixels for imaging, light shielded pixels for crosstalk measurement, and defective pixels. This segmentation allows the light shielded pixels to specifically measure crosstalk effects without being used for imaging, enabling accurate correction of defective pixels while maintaining image quality from the aperture pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
Light shielded pixels serve as intermediary elements that measure the crosstalk effect between pixels. These pixels are positioned between aperture pixels and defective pixels, capturing the crosstalk signal that can then be used to correct the defective pixel values through mathematical processing.
2Device complexity
If simple substitution of defective pixel signals is used, then correction process is simple, but correction accuracy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of crosstalk effects using light shielded pixels before correcting defective pixel signals. By pre-characterizing the crosstalk pattern through dedicated measurement pixels, the correction process can accurately compensate for crosstalk effects without requiring complex iterative algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielded pixels provide feedback information about the actual crosstalk occurring in the pixel array. This feedback is used to calculate correction coefficients that are then applied to defective pixel signals, creating a closed-loop correction system that improves accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the accuracy of defective pixel correction, improves image quality by mitigating the effects of crosstalk, and adapts to varying conditions such as temperature and voltage changes, thereby reducing noise and enhancing resolution.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric device in which a plurality of pixels containing a photoelectric element including an avalanche photodiode are arranged
Implementation Method 2
a photoelectric element including an avalanche photodiode
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a photoelectric device in which a plurality of pixels containing a photoelectric element including an avalanche photodiode are arranged in a two-dimensional array, and a processor that processes output signals of the plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels includes a first pixel unit having imaging pixels, and a second pixel unit having at least one set of pixels including an aperture pixel and light shielded pixels that surround at least a part of the aperture pixel, and the processor uses output signals of the aperture pixel and the light shielded pixels of the set of the pixels to generate a correction pattern for correcting output signals of the imaging pixels, the correction pattern corresponding to an output pattern of the set of the aperture pixel and the light shielded pixels.