Autonomous Driving Image Sensor With Red-Clear Filter Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image sensors for autonomous driving systems are inefficient in processing color information, leading to reduced information throughput due to their design being optimized for human vision rather than the specific color spectrum needed for autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor design featuring a sensor substrate with photosensitive cells, a color filter layer with alternately disposed red and clear filters, and a band stop filter with an absorption spectrum peak between 520 nm and 620 nm to enhance color information capture relevant for autonomous driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an RGB-based image sensor is used optimized for human vision, then color imaging performance is improved, but information throughput for autonomous driving is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is segmented into first pixels with red color filters and second pixels with clear filters, allowing different functional zones to capture different spectral information. This segmentation enables the sensor to capture both color information (from red-filtered pixels) and full-spectrum information (from clear pixels), thereby improving information throughput for autonomous driving applications while maintaining color imaging capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensor are assigned different filter characteristics - red color filters in specific pixels for color detection and clear filters in other pixels for maximum light capture. This local differentiation optimizes each region's function: red-filtered regions provide color information while clear regions maximize information throughput, resolving the contradiction between color imaging performance and information throughput
2Loss of information
If a color filter layer with red and clear filters is used, then color information capture is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary color filtering function by using red color filters in specific pixels rather than implementing a complete RGB filter array. This selective extraction of the color filtering function reduces manufacturing complexity while still capturing essential color information for autonomous driving, as clear filters in other pixels compensate for the simplified color filter design
3Measurement precision
If the band stop filter absorption peak is set between 520 nm and 620 nm, then color recognition accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The band stop filter's absorption peak wavelength is specifically adjusted to the 520-620 nm range, which corresponds to the yellow-green spectral region. This parameter optimization allows the filter to effectively block yellow-green light while transmitting red light, enabling accurate distinction between red and yellow traffic signals. The specific wavelength parameter change improves color recognition accuracy without requiring complex multi-layer filter structures
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
The proposed image sensor effectively captures and processes the necessary color information for autonomous driving, improving information throughput and reducing errors in color recognition, such as distinguishing between red and yellow signals.
Implementation Method 1
a band stop filter facing the color filter layer and configured to have an absorption spectrum having an absorption peak wavelength of about 520 nanometers (nm) to about 620 nm
Implementation Method 2
a sensor substrate including a plurality of photosensitive cells configured to sense light
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a sensor substrate including a plurality of photosensitive cells configured to sense light, a color filter layer on the sensor substrate, the color filter layer including a plurality of red color filters and a plurality of clear filters, the plurality of red color filters and the plurality of clear filters being alternately disposed, and a band stop filter facing the color filter layer and configured to have an absorption spectrum having an absorption peak wavelength of about 520 nanometers to about 620 nanometers.