Imaging Circuit Vertical Trench Gates 3D Color Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies using infra-red light struggle with color recognition and depth imaging due to limitations in establishing space charge regions and spectral response, particularly in photonic mixing devices, which are unable to differentiate colors and provide accurate distance measurements.
Innovation Solution
An imaging circuit with a semiconductor substrate and vertical trench gates, where a gate control circuit generates space charge regions to accelerate charge carriers for both distance and color information determination, enabling the creation of three-dimensional color images by varying voltages across multiple trench gates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If infra-red light is used for imaging, then penetration depth is improved (ten microns or more), but color recognition capability deteriorates (photocells give fixed spectral response and cannot work as color recognition devices)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the space charge region depth variable through voltage control. The gate control circuit adjusts the voltage applied to vertical trench gates, dynamically changing the depletion region depth to match different light penetration depths for various wavelengths. This enables the same sensor to adaptively detect different colors by tuning the electric field depth, resolving the contradiction between infra-red penetration depth and color recognition capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (voltage) applied to the vertical trench gates to control the depth of the space charge region. By varying the voltage, the depletion region depth is adjusted to optimize detection for different wavelengths of light, enabling both infra-red detection with sufficient penetration depth and color discrimination through spectral response variation
2Measurement precision
If vertical trench gates are used to generate space charge regions, then measurement precision is improved (distance and color information determination), but device complexity increases (multiple gates and control circuits required)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the vertical trench gate structure to perform multiple functions: it generates space charge regions for charge carrier acceleration, enables distance measurement through time-of-flight detection, and facilitates color recognition through spectral response analysis. The gate control circuit also serves multiple purposes by managing both depth control and readout operations, reducing the need for separate dedicated components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges distance measurement and color recognition functions into a single integrated sensor structure. Both functions utilize the same vertical trench gates and collection contacts, with the gate control circuit coordinating both measurement types. This consolidation reduces device complexity compared to having separate systems for depth sensing and color imaging
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 solution allows for the simultaneous determination of distance and color information, enhancing imaging capabilities with reduced noise and smaller lateral dimensions, enabling the production of detailed three-dimensional color images.
Implementation Method 1
provide a first voltage to the first vertical trench gate and a second voltage to the second vertical trench gate to generate a first space charge region accelerating photogenerated charge carriers
Implementation Method 2
accelerating photogenerated charge carriers of a first charge-carrier type to a first collection contact
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging circuit includes a first vertical trench gate and a neighboring second vertical trench gate. The imaging circuit includes a gate control circuit. The gate control circuit operates in a first operating mode to generate a first space charge region accelerating photogenerated charge carriers of a first charge-carrier type to a first collection contact in and in a second operating mode to generate a second space charge region accelerating photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge-carrier type to the first collection contact. The imaging circuit further includes an image processing circuit which determines distance information of an object based on photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge carrier type collected at the first collection contact in the first operating mode and color information of the object based on photogenerated charge carriers of the first charge carrier type collected at the first collection contact in the second operating mode.