Solid-State Imaging Element Power Reduction via Floating Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solid-state imaging elements face limitations in reducing electric power consumption without decreasing pixel loads, which restricts the potential for increased speed and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a driver with a floating setting unit and a short-circuit setting unit that allows for the output of control signals to be set to a floating state and short-circuited between specific control signal lines, respectively, to optimize power usage during vertical signal transfer in the pixel array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pixel loads are reduced to decrease electric power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the increase in speed and efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple banks, and the control signal lines are segmented into first and second control signal lines. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of different regions, enabling power reduction in specific areas without compromising overall performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically switches between normal operation mode and power-saving mode by controlling the coupling between first and second control signal lines. During vertical transfer periods, the lines are coupled to reduce power consumption, while during other periods they operate independently to maintain speed and efficiency
2Speed
If pixel loads are reduced to increase speed, then processing speed increases, but electric power consumption reduction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic coupling and decoupling of control signal lines. During vertical transfer periods, the first and second control signal lines are coupled to reduce power consumption. During other periods, they are decoupled to maintain normal operation speed, creating a periodic pattern that balances power savings with speed requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging element with which electric power consumption can be reduced, a method for operating the solid-state imaging element, an imaging device, and electronic equipment. After a signal output is outputted from a driver in an Nth row according to a selection signal from a vertical scanning unit, switchover is performed to transmit a signal output from a driver in an (N+1) row. Before the switchover, the drivers in the Nth and (N+1)th rows are brought into a floating state, and control signal lines to which the signal outputs from the drivers are transmitted are short-circuited for charge dispersion. This increases a potential of the control signal line of the next (N+1)th row to an intermediate potential. Thereafter, the driver in the (N+1)th row outputs the signal output. With this, the driver in the (N+1) row only needs to increase the potential from the intermediate potential to Hi level. This can reduce electric power consumption. The present disclosure is applicable to solid-state imaging elements.