Solid-State Imaging Device Vertical Transfer Charge Division
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of transfer electrodes in multi-field readout methods for solid-state imaging devices leads to increased costs, larger device sizes, and higher pin counts, which complicates the vertical driver channel, while also reducing the efficiency of charge processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where the vertical transfer portions divide charges evenly and transfer them in a mixed state, reducing the number of vertical transfer phases and electrodes needed, thereby maintaining charge processing efficiency without increasing the driving frequency of the horizontal transfer portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-field readout method is used to increase charge processing efficiency, then the number of transfer electrodes increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple transfer electrodes by having the vertical transfer portions divide charges into two and transfer them in a mixed state. This allows fewer transfer electrodes to handle the same charge processing load that would traditionally require more electrodes in conventional multi-field readout methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical transfer portions are designed to perform multiple functions: they divide charges evenly and transfer them in a mixed state, enabling a single electrode structure to handle what would traditionally require multiple specialized electrodes for different readout phases.
2Speed
If multi-field readout method is used to maintain high frame rate, then the number of transfer electrodes increases, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the charge division and mixed state transfer functions into the existing vertical transfer portion structure, the patent avoids adding the extra electrodes that would be needed in conventional approaches, thereby maintaining compact device size while achieving high frame rate operation.
3Productivity
If multi-field readout method is used to process charges efficiently, then the number of transfer electrodes increases, but pin count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electrode functions into the existing vertical transfer portion, which reduces the number of external pins needed to control the transfer electrodes. This maintains efficient charge processing while reducing the pin count that would otherwise increase with conventional multi-field readout implementations.
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 reduces the number of transfer electrodes required, lowering costs and device size, while maintaining the efficiency of charge processing and response rate, particularly in high-frame-rate applications.
Implementation Method 1
The incident light into each pixel is converted into an electric charge by the photodiode
Implementation Method 2
by applying vertical transfer clocks Vφ to the vertical transfer portions from a timing signal generating circuit 103, electrical charges output from the light receiving portions to the vertical transfer portions are transferred in the vertical direction
Implementation Method 3
by applying horizontal transfer clocks Hφ to the horizontal transfer portion from the timing signal generating circuit, the electrical charges transferred to the horizontal transfer portion are transferred in the horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device and a charge transfer method are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes light receiving portions arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, vertical transfer portions, and a horizontal transfer portion. The vertical transfer portions are formed for each column of the matrix of the light receiving portions, for transferring charges transferred from the light receiving portions in a vertical direction. The horizontal transfer portion transfers the charges transferred from the vertical transfer portions in a horizontal direction. The vertical transfer portions divide the charges transferred to the vertical transfer portions and transfer the divided charges in the vertical direction. The horizontal transfer portion transfers the divided charges in a mixed state in the horizontal direction.