Image Sensor Binning Control via Switched Signal Path Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors face challenges in achieving improved image quality while minimizing size increases during binning operations, as traditional methods either fail to enhance image quality or increase the overall size due to increased capacitances in correlated double sampling devices.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor employs an input control unit and output control unit to manage signal paths between pixels and sampling units, using switches to selectively connect and disconnect pixels and sampling units during normal and binning operations, allowing for programmable-gain amplification and summation of pixel signals without increasing capacitor capacitances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extra capacitors are added to CDSs to store and sum pixel signals, then image quality is improved, but the overall size of the image sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple capacitors by connecting them in parallel during binning operations. Specifically, first capacitors from first CDS devices and second capacitors from second CDS devices are connected in parallel to sum pixel signals, eliminating the need for separate extra capacitors and thus preventing increase in overall sensor size while maintaining image quality improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The existing capacitors in CDS devices are made multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as individual pixel signal storage elements during normal operation and as combined summation capacitors during binning operations. The control unit dynamically reconfigures the capacitor connections to achieve different functions based on operational mode, maximizing resource utilization without adding extra components
2Productivity
If capacitors in CDSs are split into two or four, then binning operation is enabled, but image improvement through summation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of capacitor connections based on operational mode. During binning operations, the control unit dynamically connects capacitors in parallel to enable signal summation, while during normal operations, capacitors remain in their individual configurations. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to achieve both binning functionality and image quality improvement without compromise
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image sensor, including an input control unit configured to control signal paths between a plurality of pixels and a plurality of sampling units and supplying outputs from the plurality of pixels in row units to the plurality of sampling units during a normal operation, while supplying the outputs from the plurality of pixels by color, to the plurality of sampling units during a binning operation; and an output control unit configured to control signal paths between the plurality of sampling units and an amplification unit and sequentially supplying outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the normal operation while simultaneously supplying the outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the binning operation.