Image Capturing Device Skew Reduction via Optical Drive Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image-capturing devices face significant timing skew issues due to varying wiring distances for drive pulses, which are not adequately addressed and result in complex wiring configurations, limiting their ability to achieve high precision in signal readout.
Innovation Solution
The image-capturing device employs a multi-chip structure with a light-receiving substrate and a light-emitting substrate, using drive light to collectively control the accumulation signals, reducing skew by minimizing variations in wiring distance and simplifying drive control lines, and incorporating a light-emitting substrate that irradiates drive light to synchronize the timing of light-receiving units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional wiring methods are used to transmit drive pulses to pixels, then the device can be manufactured with standard wiring, but timing skew increases due to different wiring distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission. Drive control lines transmit drive pulses electrically, causing timing skew due to varying wiring distances. By substituting electrical signals with optical signals (light pulses) that can be simultaneously received by all pixels, the invention eliminates the timing skew problem inherent in electrical wiring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light source as an intermediary element. Instead of directly wiring drive pulses to each pixel, a light source emits light pulses that serve as the drive signal. All pixels receive the same drive timing information simultaneously through the common light source, acting as an intermediary that distributes timing information uniformly without the skew problems of direct electrical wiring.
2Measurement precision
If internally dividing points of drive control lines are provided to reduce skew, then timing skew decreases to 1/4 or 1/16, but device complexity and wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for complex internal dividing points and multiple drive control lines by replacing the electrical wiring system with an optical signaling system. A single light source replaces multiple divided electrical pathways, simultaneously providing drive timing to all pixels without requiring complex wiring arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source serves as a universal drive mechanism for all pixels in the device. Instead of having separate or divided drive control lines for different pixel groups, the single light source universally provides drive timing information to the entire pixel array, simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If electrical drive control lines are used for each pixel, then individual pixel control is achieved, but wiring complexity and timing skew both increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source acts as an intermediary that enables individual pixel control without requiring individual electrical drive lines. Each pixel can still be controlled independently through its photodetector receiving the optical drive signal, while the light source provides the common timing reference, eliminating the need for complex individual electrical wiring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electrical control wiring with optical control signaling. Individual pixel control is maintained through the photodetector-optical coupling mechanism, while the drive control lines are replaced by a light source that provides timing information optically, dramatically reducing wiring complexity.
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 effectively reduces skew to values as low as 1 ns, enabling high-precision time measurement and eliminating the need for complex peripheral circuits, making it suitable for applications like TOF fluorescence observation and precision light measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiving substrate 20 having a plurality of light-receiving units 21, each of which is arranged corresponding to one or more photoelectric converting units 11
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting substrate 30 having a plurality of light-emitting units 31 that emit drive light DL onto corresponding light-receiving units 21
Data Source
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AI summary
An image-capturing device allowing skew reduction, and an image-capturing system allowing skew reduction are provided. An image-capturing device is provided, including a plurality of photoelectric converting units; and a plurality of light-receiving units that are arranged corresponding to a plurality of blocks each constituted by one or more photoelectric converting units, and receive drive light instructing driving of the photoelectric converting units to output a drive signal to a corresponding photoelectric converting unit among the photoelectric converting units. In addition, an image-capturing system is provided, including the image-capturing device; and a light-emitting unit that is spaced apart from the plurality of light-receiving units, and emits the drive light to the plurality of light-receiving units.