Configurable Interconnect Fabric for Image Sensor Pixel Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors are limited by raster scan techniques, which require sequential access to image pixels, restricting flexibility and performance in reading out image signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a configurable interconnect fabric that allows for flexible routing of control and output signals between image sensor pixels and analog circuit blocks, enabling simultaneous access to groups of pixels and reducing wiring complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If raster scan techniques are used to sequentially read out image signals, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the processing efficiency and access flexibility are greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple independently controllable blocks, each with its own readout circuitry. This segmentation allows parallel access to different blocks simultaneously, eliminating the sequential bottleneck of traditional raster scan while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a block dimension to the traditional row-column pixel array structure. By organizing pixels into three-dimensional blocks and adding block-level addressing, the system enables parallel readout across multiple blocks simultaneously, transforming the single-threaded sequential access into multi-threaded parallel access without proportionally increasing wiring complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If row-by-row sequential access is implemented, then the control circuitry is simple, but the access flexibility to pixel groups is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnect structure is made dynamically reconfigurable through programmable routing resources that can adapt connection paths based on the selected pixel group. This dynamic adaptability allows the same hardware to serve multiple access patterns (sequential, parallel, random, grouped) without requiring separate dedicated circuitry for each mode, balancing flexibility with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry is designed with universal routing resources that can handle multiple types of pixel group selections (adjacent blocks, scattered pixels, custom patterns) through a unified addressing and routing mechanism. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate control paths for different access modes, achieving high adaptability without linearly increasing circuit complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional row and column circuitry are used, then the wiring structure is simple, but the ability to access scattered pixel groups efficiently is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into independently addressable blocks that can be read out in parallel. Each block has dedicated readout circuitry, allowing scattered pixel groups across different blocks to be accessed simultaneously through multiple independent data paths, dramatically improving readout speed for non-sequential patterns while keeping each segment's wiring simple.
Solution Approach 2:
Block-level control and routing circuitry serves as an intermediary layer between the pixel array and the final readout registers. This intermediate blocking structure enables efficient routing of scattered pixels from different locations to parallel readout paths, acting as a mediator that transforms complex scattered access patterns into manageable parallel streams without requiring direct complex wiring between all pixels and all readout circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
Electronic devices may include image sensors having configurable image sensor pixel interconnections. Image sensors may include image sensor pixels coupled to analog circuitry via configurable interconnect circuitry. The analog circuitry may include many analog circuit blocks. The analog circuit blocks may control and read out signals from associated image sensor pixels. The configurable interconnect circuitry may be controlled to reroute the connections between the analog circuit blocks and specific groups of image sensor pixels. Digital circuitry may be coupled to the analog circuitry via configurable interconnect circuitry. The digital circuitry may include digital circuit blocks. There may be significantly more image pixels controlled by a small number of analog circuit blocks, which are in turn controlled by a smaller number of digital circuit blocks. The image sensor pixel array, the configurable interconnect circuitry, the analog circuitry, and the digital circuitry may be vertically stacked.