Photoelectric Conversion Apparatus Shared Scan Lines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photoelectric conversion apparatuses require multiple wiring lines for both writing and reading digital signals from pixels, leading to increased circuit area and complexity, with limited consideration for reducing the number of wiring lines.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric conversion apparatus with a scan unit and a plurality of pixels, where the scan unit performs both reading and writing operations using shared transmission lines, reducing the circuit area and wiring line requirements by utilizing a single set of scan units for both signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate wiring lines are used for writing and reading digital signals from pixels, then signal transmission control is simplified, but circuit area and wiring line area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission lines are designed to serve dual purposes: writing digital signals to pixels and reading digital signals from pixels. The scan unit controls the direction of signal flow on these shared transmission lines, enabling one set of wiring lines to perform both writing and reading operations, thereby reducing the overall circuit area while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Reliability
If separate wiring lines are used for writing and reading digital signals from pixels, then signal interference is reduced, but wiring line area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same transmission lines are used for both writing and reading operations. The scan unit manages signal direction by controlling switches or multiplexers at pixel nodes, allowing bidirectional communication over unidirectional physical wiring. This approach reduces wiring line area while preventing signal interference through controlled signal flow direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches the function of transmission lines between writing and reading modes. By using time-division multiplexing or dynamic switch control, the same physical wiring infrastructure adapts its signal flow direction based on operational requirements, reducing static wiring complexity while maintaining signal integrity.
3Measurement precision
If individual control of digital signal reading from each pixel is implemented, then signal precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is organized into rows and columns with individual addressable nodes. The scan unit sequentially selects and reads signals from specific pixels using row/column decoding, enabling individual control of each pixel's signal reading. This segmented addressing approach provides precise individual control while avoiding the need for dedicated control lines for each pixel, thus managing device complexity.
4Area of stationary object
If shared transmission lines are used for writing and reading, then wiring line area is reduced, but signal transmission control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scan unit implements dynamic control of signal flow direction on shared transmission lines. By using time-division multiplexing and dynamic switch control at pixel nodes, the system adapts the function of transmission lines between writing and reading modes, reducing wiring line area while managing control complexity through systematic signal routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The scan unit operates in periodic cycles, alternating between writing phases and reading phases. During writing phases, signals are transmitted to pixels; during reading phases, signals are read from pixels. This periodic operation pattern simplifies the control logic for managing shared transmission lines by establishing regular, predictable signal flow patterns.
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 allows for efficient control of digital signal writing and reading from pixels while minimizing the circuit area and wiring line usage, enhancing the apparatus's efficiency and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output a digital signal corresponding to an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising includes a scan unit and a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output a digital signal corresponding to an electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit. The scan unit performs a scan to read the digital signal from the plurality of pixels and an operation of inputting a signal based on the digital signal output from the plurality of pixels to the plurality of pixels.