Image Sensor Tile Pixel Block Restoring Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray sensor tiles face issues with reduced photosensitive area due to the presence of row drivers, leading to image artefacts and column defects, which affect signal integrity and yield.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a restoring unit in each pixel block to restore the shape of control signals and reducing the number of row drivers, allowing for a larger photosensitive area and minimizing column defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If row drivers are integrated into each pixel block to provide control signals to pixels, then pixel control capability is improved, but photosensitive area is reduced due to the space occupied by row drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor tile is divided into multiple pixel blocks, with row drivers integrated into specific pixel blocks rather than every pixel block. This segmentation allows control functionality to be distributed while minimizing the total area occupied by row drivers, thereby preserving photosensitive area in other pixel blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
Pixels in pixel blocks containing row drivers serve dual functions: they act as both photosensitive elements and as hosts for control circuitry. The row drivers integrated into these pixel blocks provide control signals to multiple pixel blocks, reducing the overall number of row drivers needed and minimizing the impact on photosensitive area.
2Reliability
If row drivers are placed in each pixel block, then signal distribution to pixels is improved, but image artefacts and column defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The row driver functionality is extracted from every pixel block and concentrated into specific pixel blocks. This extraction reduces the total number of row drivers, thereby reducing the sources of potential image artefacts and column defects while maintaining adequate signal distribution through the integrated row drivers in the remaining pixel blocks.
3Area of moving object
If the number of row drivers is reduced to increase photosensitive area, then photosensitive area is improved, but signal integrity may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Row drivers are integrated into specific pixel blocks at predetermined locations to establish optimal signal distribution patterns before image acquisition. This preliminary placement strategy ensures that signal integrity is maintained across all pixel blocks while minimizing the total number of row drivers, thereby maximizing photosensitive area.
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 approach enhances signal integrity, reduces image artefacts, and increases the yield by maintaining signal quality while reducing the number of row drivers and column defects, thereby improving the overall performance of X-ray sensor tiles.
Implementation Method 1
For X-ray sensors, a scintillator layer may be used that converts incoming X-rays into visible light
Implementation Method 2
The photosensitive pixel may comprise a photosensitive diode, such as a (pinned) photodiode, and a storage capacitor. The charges that are generated as light falls onto the photodiode
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention is related to an image sensor tile and to an image sensor comprising such a tile. An image sensor tile comprises a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a pattern of rows and columns. According to the present invention, each pixel block comprises, for each pixel row, at least one restoring unit that is arranged in a single pixel in that row or at least one restoring unit that is distributed over pixels in that row, said at least one restoring unit being configured to restore a shape of the at least one control signal.