Distance Sensor Bidirectional Charge Transfer Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distance sensors and image sensors face challenges in achieving improved transfer speed, precision, and aperture ratio, particularly in the design of transfer electrodes and potential distribution within the light receiving area.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a light receiving area with first and second sides, photo gate electrodes, signal charge collection regions, and transfer electrodes with differing phases, along with a potential adjusting means to create a higher potential area between the sides, facilitating faster signal charge transfer and reducing manufacturing variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transfer electrodes are arranged along one side of the light receiving area, then device complexity is reduced, but transfer speed and transfer precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving area is divided into multiple regions with separate transfer electrodes arranged on both the first side and second side. This segmentation allows charge to be transferred through multiple parallel paths simultaneously, increasing transfer speed without requiring a single complex electrode structure
Solution Approach 2:
Transfer electrodes are arranged on both opposite sides of the light receiving area rather than just one side, utilizing the two-dimensional space more effectively. This bidirectional arrangement creates multiple charge transfer paths across the area, improving transfer speed and precision
2Device complexity
If transfer electrodes are arranged along one side of the light receiving area, then device complexity is reduced, but transfer precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light receiving area is segmented into multiple regions, each with dedicated transfer electrodes on both sides. This segmentation reduces crosstalk between adjacent charge transfer paths and improves the precision of charge collection by isolating charge from different incident light regions
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging transfer electrodes on both opposite sides of the light receiving area, the patent creates a more precise charge transfer geometry. This bidirectional arrangement allows for better control and measurement of charge transfer paths, improving transfer precision
3Device complexity
If potential distribution is not optimized, then device complexity is reduced, but aperture ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different potential adjustments to different regions of the light receiving area by positioning potential adjusting means between the first side and second side. This localized potential optimization improves charge transfer efficiency in critical areas without requiring complex potential distribution across the entire device, thereby improving aperture ratio
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 configuration enhances transfer speed, precision, and aperture ratio by accelerating signal charges and improving the efficiency of the light receiving area, while reducing the influence of manufacturing variations.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving area (electric charge generation region) configured by a first area and a second area and having a rectangular shape... a photo gate electrode arranged along the first side and the second side on the light receiving area... collecting signal charge generated according to incident light
Implementation Method 2
a potential adjusting means positioned between the first side and the second side and raising potential of an area extending in a direction in which the first and second sides extend to be higher than potential of an area disposed further on the side of the first side and an area disposed further on the side of the second side than the area such that inclination of the potential is formed from the area toward the side of the first side and the side of the second side
Data Source
AI summary
A distance sensor includes: a light receiving area including a first longer side and a second longer side; a photo gate electrode arranged on the light receiving area; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the first longer side; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the second longer side; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the first longer side provided with charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the second longer side provided with the charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; and a potential adjusting means positioned between the first and second longer sides and raises potential of an area extending in a direction in which the first and second longer sides extend to be higher than potential of side areas of the first and second longer sides.