Image Sensor Pixel Power Layout for Exposure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors require individual power sources for each pixel to control exposure time, leading to a reduction in aperture ratio and increased complexity, which complicates the manufacturing process and reduces yield.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design where a common power supply unit provides a negative voltage to multiple pixels, allowing for control of exposure time through a transfer signal based on either the negative voltage or a positive voltage supplied by an individual power source, eliminating the need for complex circuits and reducing the area occupied by power sources near the photodiode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual power sources are provided for each pixel to control exposure time, then exposure time control is achieved, but aperture ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power supply function by providing a common power source that supplies voltage to multiple pixels simultaneously, rather than having individual power sources for each pixel. This reduces the total area occupied by power sources and maintains aperture ratio while still enabling exposure time control through shared voltage supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The common power source serves multiple pixels universally, providing voltage supply to all connected pixels through shared power supply lines. This multi-functional approach allows one power source to control exposure for multiple pixels, eliminating the need for individual power sources and preserving aperture ratio.
2Ease of operation
If individual power sources are provided for each pixel, then exposure control is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple power supply circuits into a single common power source that serves multiple pixels. This merging reduces the number of individual power supply circuits, simplifies the overall device structure, and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining exposure control capability through the shared power supply.
3Ease of operation
If individual power sources are provided for each pixel, then exposure time control is achieved, but manufacturing yield is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual power supply circuits into a common power source configuration, reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This simplification reduces manufacturing steps, lowers the risk of assembly errors, and improves overall manufacturing yield while maintaining the ability to control exposure time for multiple pixels.
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 design increases the fill factor of the photodiode, improves light utilization efficiency, and allows for miniaturization of the image sensor without reducing the aperture ratio, enabling parallel reading of pixels and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts incident light
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes: (1) a first pixel and a second pixel each including: a photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically converts light and generates an electric charge; and a transfer unit that transfers the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to an accumulation unit that accumulates the electric charge, the first pixel and the second pixel being arranged in a row direction; (2) a first supply unit that supplies a signal which controls the transfer unit of the first pixel; and (3) a second supply unit that supplies a signal which controls the transfer unit of the second pixel.