Image Sensor Binning Sampling Power Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensors face challenges in reducing power consumption and increasing frame rate, particularly in low resolution modes where existing technologies do not efficiently manage analog-digital conversion processes.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor employs a pixel array divided into groups with binning sampling units and analog-digital conversion blocks, where only first analog-digital conversion units are active during signal conversion, while second units are turned off to conserve power, and a column scanner selectively reads data from latches to improve data processing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If all analog-digital conversion units are activated to process signals from all unit pixels, then complete image data can be obtained, but power consumption increases and frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple groups, each group containing a subset of columns. The analog-digital conversion block is segmented into multiple conversion units, each responsible for converting signals from a specific group. This segmentation allows selective activation of only the conversion units needed for the current frame, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to process complete image data when all units are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts which analog-digital conversion units are activated based on the imaging requirements. For full-resolution imaging, all conversion units are activated. For low-resolution modes or specific imaging scenarios, only the conversion units corresponding to the active pixel groups are turned on, enabling real-time power management and frame rate optimization.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If binning sampling is applied to reduce data volume, then power consumption decreases, but measurement precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The binning sampling configuration is dynamically adjustable, allowing the system to switch between different sampling patterns (e.g., 2x2 binning, 2x1 binning, or no binning) based on imaging requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to maintain high measurement precision when needed while reducing power consumption through binning when image resolution requirements are lower.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sampling parameters (binning factor, group size, column selection) based on the imaging scenario. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between power consumption and image resolution, allowing binning sampling to reduce power consumption while maintaining acceptable measurement precision for the given application.
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels in a matrix including rows and columns. The matrix being divided into a plurality of groups and each of the plurality of groups includes two or more different columns, a binning sampling unit configured to sample outputs of unit pixels in each of the plurality of groups and output binning sampling signals, and an analog-digital conversion block including first and second analog-digital conversion units corresponding to the columns. The first analog-digital conversion units convert the binning sampling signals. When the first analog-digital conversion units convert the binning sampling signals, the second analog-digital conversion units are turned off.