Image Sensor Vertical Signal Line Potential Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image sensors with multiple vertical signal lines per pixel column, potential discrepancies between signal lines can lead to pedestal generation in signal readout due to different impedances, making it challenging to suppress sub-wobble noise and maintain high-speed readout operations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a potential fixing unit that sets the potential of vertical signal lines to a predetermined value before signal readout, using a switch or potential fixing element to ensure all lines have the same potential at the start of read operations, thereby reducing potential discrepancies and settling time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple vertical signal lines are used per pixel column to increase readout capacity, then signal readout speed and capacity are improved, but potential discrepancies between signal lines generate pedestals in the readout signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by fixing the potential of all vertical signal lines to a predetermined potential before signal readout begins. This pre-fixing of potentials ensures that when readout starts, all signal lines are at identical potential levels, preventing pedestal generation during the readout process while maintaining high readout capacity with multiple signal lines
2Reliability
If potential fixing is applied to suppress sub-wobble noise in circuits with one vertical signal line, then noise suppression is improved, but it becomes ineffective in circuits with multiple vertical signal lines due to impedance differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by connecting all vertical signal lines to a common potential fixing circuit that maintains them at the same predetermined potential. This ensures that even with different impedances among multiple signal lines, their potentials remain equalized before readout, making the noise suppression technique effective for multi-line circuits
3Device complexity
If potential discrepancies between vertical signal lines are not corrected, then circuit complexity is reduced, but pedestals are generated in the readout signals degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a potential fixing circuit that serves multiple functions: it fixes potentials for all vertical signal lines simultaneously, works with any number of signal lines, and operates independently of the specific impedance values of individual lines. This multi-functional approach maintains circuit relative simplicity while effectively preventing pedestals and preserving image quality
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to an image sensor, an imaging method, and an electronic apparatus that are capable of improving the image quality. It includes a plurality of signal lines for reading signals from pixels including a photoelectric conversion element, each of the plurality of signal lines being provided for one column of pixels, and a fixing unit configured to fix the potential of the plurality of signal lines to a predetermined potential, is started. The fixing unit fixes the potential of the plurality of signal lines before an operation of resetting the pixel. It is possible to fix the potential of the signal line to a predetermined potential before reading of the signal from the pixel, and to prevent the image quality from degrading due to the discrepancy in the potential when reading is started.