Photoelectric Conversion Apparatus Shading Reduction via Substrate Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shading occurs in photoelectric conversion apparatuses due to potential changes in electrically conductive lines, affecting the accuracy of image capture and signal readout, particularly from magnetic noise.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a stacked substrate configuration with specific joints and conductive lines to apply a drive potential, reducing the influence of magnetic noise by supplying the ground potential directly to the readout circuit and pixel array, and using variable capacitance in the AD converter to minimize shading effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ground potential is supplied from a ground line in the pixel array to the readout circuit on another substrate, then the readout circuit can operate, but shading occurs due to potential changes in the electrically conductive line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the substrate into multiple regions: a first substrate containing the pixel array, a second substrate containing the readout circuit, and a third substrate positioned between them. The third substrate acts as an intermediate layer to supply ground potential independently, segmenting the potential supply path to prevent magnetic noise coupling between the pixel array and readout circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The third substrate serves as an intermediary element that mediates the ground potential supply between the first and second substrates. By introducing this intermediate substrate with its own ground potential supply structure, the patent prevents direct coupling that would cause shading, while still enabling proper operation of the readout circuit.
2Measurement precision
If a stacked substrate configuration is used to separate pixel array and readout circuit, then magnetic noise influence is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the third substrate: it serves as a structural support layer, a ground potential supply layer, and an electromagnetic shielding layer. By merging these functions into a single intermediate substrate, the overall device complexity is managed while achieving the goal of reducing magnetic noise influence.
Solution Approach 2:
The third substrate is designed with multi-functionality, serving simultaneously as a mechanical support structure, an electrical ground potential supply path, and an electromagnetic interference barrier. This universal design approach reduces the need for additional separate components, balancing complexity reduction with performance improvement.
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 configuration effectively reduces shading by stabilizing the ground potential and minimizing the impact of magnetic noise, leading to improved image capture and signal readout accuracy across all rows of the pixel array.
Implementation Method 1
a first substrate 10 forming a photoelectric conversion apparatus 1, a second substrate 20 forming a readout circuit 200
Data Source
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AI summary
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a first substrate including a pixel array, a second substrate including a readout circuit configured to read out a signal from the pixel array, and a drive terminal to which a drive potential is externally applied. The readout circuit includes a first node to which the drive potential is supplied from the drive terminal via an electrically conductive line arranged in the pixel array, and a second node to which the drive potential is supplied from the drive terminal without going through the pixel array.