Image Sensor Pixel Control Node Sharing for Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensors, particularly CMOS image sensors used in distance measurement technologies like Time of Flight (ToF) methods, face challenges in power efficiency and miniaturization due to the need for multiple control nodes in pixel arrays, which increases power consumption and reduces the distance between control nodes, affecting the generation of hole currents.
Innovation Solution
The image sensing device incorporates a pixel array structure where pixels share a control node, reducing the number of control nodes and increasing the distance between them, thereby minimizing power required for generating hole currents and enhancing power efficiency, while maintaining effective distance measurement capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each pixel has its own control node, then each pixel can independently control hole current generation, but the number of control nodes increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control nodes by sharing a single control node among multiple pixels (specifically 2x2=4 pixels share one control node). This reduces the total number of control nodes in the array, thereby minimizing power consumption while still enabling effective hole current control through the shared node.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared control node serves multiple pixels simultaneously, making it a universal control element. This multi-functional approach allows one control node to perform the hole current generation control function for multiple pixels, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining control effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If control nodes are placed closer together, then pixel density increases, but the distance between control nodes decreases reducing hole current control efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
By merging control nodes into shared nodes, the patent increases the effective distance between control nodes while maintaining high pixel density. Each pixel still receives proper control signal coverage through the shared node architecture, achieving both high density and control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-to-one control node to pixel relationship to a many-to-one shared control node relationship, effectively utilizing the spatial arrangement in two dimensions. This allows control nodes to be positioned optimally for hole current control while pixels maintain high density through the shared control architecture.
3Measurement precision
If more control nodes are used, then hole current control precision improves, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pixel control functions into fewer shared control nodes, reducing device complexity while maintaining control precision through optimized signal distribution and timing control for the shared nodes.
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 reduces power consumption and allows for more efficient hole current generation, improving the performance and efficiency of the image sensing device in distance measurement applications, such as in automotive and medical devices.
Implementation Method 1
capture photocharge which is generated by incident light and migrated by the hole current
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensing device may include a first tap and a second tap configured to generate a hole current in a substrate, and capture photocharge which is generated by incident light and migrated by the hole current. The first and second taps may be disposed in vertex regions facing each other in a diagonal direction in one pixel, respectively.