Image Sensor Timing Control for Noise and Power Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image sensors face challenges in improving noise characteristics and reducing power consumption due to shared ground voltage between analog and digital signal processing circuits, which affects noise characteristics and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The image sensor incorporates an analog signal processing circuitry, a digital data processing circuitry, and a control circuit that manages operations based on operation schedule information, including control time intervals, to optimize noise reduction and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If analog and digital signal processing circuits share one ground voltage, then device complexity is reduced, but noise characteristics of the analog signal processing circuitry deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit configurationVSAvoidnoise characteristic

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the digital data processing circuitry into multiple digital circuit blocks (first digital circuit block and second digital circuit block) with different ground voltages. The first digital circuit block operates at a first ground voltage during first time intervals, while the second digital circuit block operates at a second ground voltage during second time intervals. This segmentation allows independent control of ground voltages for different digital blocks, enabling noise reduction for the analog circuit while maintaining functionality of both digital blocks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic switching of ground voltages for different digital circuit blocks based on operation sequences. The control circuitry switches between first and second ground voltages at specific time intervals corresponding to different operation phases (e.g., integration period, conversion period). This periodic action ensures that during critical analog signal processing intervals, the digital blocks operate at ground voltages that minimize noise interference, while still allowing full digital processing capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If digital data processing circuitry operates continuously, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal processing throughputVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic switching of ground voltages for different digital circuit blocks based on operation sequences. The control circuitry switches between first and second ground voltages at specific time intervals corresponding to different operation phases (e.g., integration period, conversion period). This periodic action ensures that during critical analog signal processing intervals, the digital blocks operate at ground voltages that minimize noise interference, while still allowing full digital processing capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent discards continuous operation of digital circuit blocks by selectively powering them down or placing them in low-power states during periods when their output is not immediately needed. The control circuitry manages power supply to digital circuit blocks based on operational requirements, recovering full functionality when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle or low-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS20250047998A1Image sensor and method of operating the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is an image sensor and a method of operating same, the image sensor including: an analog signal processing circuitry configured to process analog signals and to output digital signals; a digital data processing circuitry including one or more digital circuits configured to process the digital signals; and a control circuit configured to control operations of the one or more digital circuits based on operation schedule information, wherein the operation schedule information includes one or more control time intervals associated with one or more operation sequences of the image sensor.