Dual-Mode Charge Sensor Circuitry for Fast and Accurate Read-Out

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing charge sensor circuitries face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution and accuracy while maintaining fast read-out speeds, with passive sensors providing low accuracy and high speed but low spatial resolution, and active sensors offering high accuracy but slow read-out.

Innovation Solution

A charge sensor circuitry that operates in two modes, using a first transistor for fast read-out with low accuracy and at least one second transistor for slow read-out with high accuracy, allowing for versatile operation and high spatial resolution, with the same circuitry being used in both modes to minimize area and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If passive charge sensor circuitry is used, then read-out speed is fast, but signal-to-noise ratio is low and accuracy is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveread-out speedVSAvoidaccuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The charge sensor circuitry dynamically switches between two operational modes: a first mode for fast read-out and a second mode for high accuracy read-out. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize performance based on the specific sensing requirements, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy by making the circuitry's characteristics changeable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the charge sensor circuitry by switching between different transistors for different modes. The first transistor is used for fast read-out operations, while the second transistor is used for high accuracy read-out operations. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both fast and accurate read-out as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If active charge sensor circuitry is used, then signal-to-noise ratio is high and accuracy is high, but read-out speed is slow

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidread-out speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The charge sensor circuitry dynamically switches between two operational modes: a first mode for fast read-out and a second mode for high accuracy read-out. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize performance based on the specific sensing requirements, resolving the contradiction between speed and accuracy by making the circuitry's characteristics changeable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the charge sensor circuitry by switching between different transistors for different modes. The first transistor is used for fast read-out operations, while the second transistor is used for high accuracy read-out operations. This parameter change allows the system to achieve both fast and accurate read-out as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensor types are used to achieve both fast and accurate read-out, then performance is improved, but device complexity and area increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidcircuitry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The charge sensor circuitry is designed with multi-functionality, where a single circuit can operate in two distinct modes: fast read-out mode and high accuracy read-out mode. By incorporating both transistors and control logic into one universal circuit design, the invention eliminates the need for separate sensor types, thereby reducing device complexity and area while maintaining the capability to achieve both fast and accurate read-out.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functions of fast read-out and high accuracy read-out into a single charge sensor circuitry. By combining both transistors and their associated control mechanisms within one integrated circuit, the system achieves both performance characteristics without requiring multiple separate sensor components, thus reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240344883A1Charge sensor circuitry, a detector array and a method for charge-based sensing

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO ELECTRONICS CENT (IMEC VZW)

AI summary

A charge sensor circuitry comprises: a detector element configured to generate a charge signal at an internal node; wherein the charge sensor circuitry comprises a first transistor comprising a gate for receiving a first control signal and at least one second transistor comprising a first gate connected to the internal node and a second gate for receiving a second control signal; wherein the charge sensor circuitry is configured to, in a first mode, output a first output signal through the first transistor; wherein the charge sensor circuitry is configured to, in a second mode, reset the internal node through the first transistor and output a second output signal through the at least one second transistor.