Solid-State Imaging Pixel Buffer Sharing for Readout Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid-state imaging apparatuses face challenges in achieving high pixel density and operation speed while maintaining a high aperture ratio, as existing designs compromise on these factors due to the need for buffer elements that occupy space and reduce the area ratio of photoelectric conversion elements.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state imaging apparatus with a matrix arrangement of pixels, where multiple pixels share common buffers and are connected to alternately connected vertical output lines, allowing simultaneous readout of pixel signals from alternate rows, thereby reducing readout time and improving aperture ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a buffer is provided for each pixel to enable high speed readout, then operation speed is improved, but the area ratio of photoelectric conversion element decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges buffer resources by making buffers common to multiple pixels (specifically, one buffer serves two pixels in the same column). This consolidation reduces the total number of buffers required, thereby increasing the area available for photoelectric conversion elements while maintaining the high speed readout capability through the alternative connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new spatial arrangement by providing two vertical output lines for each column and alternatively connecting buffers to these output lines. This dimensional reorganization allows simultaneous readout from multiple rows through different output paths, achieving high speed readout without requiring a buffer for every pixel, thus resolving the area ratio problem.
2Loss of time
If multiple vertical output lines are arranged for each column to read out multiple rows simultaneously, then readout time is shortened, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes buffers multi-functional by connecting each buffer to two different vertical output lines alternatively. This allows a single buffer to serve multiple readout paths, enabling simultaneous readout from multiple rows without proportionally increasing the number of buffers, thus reducing device complexity while achieving faster readout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching capability where buffers can alternatively connect to different vertical output lines. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to flexibly route signals from different rows to appropriate output lines, enabling parallel readout operations without requiring dedicated static connections for each pixel, thereby managing complexity efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging apparatus that shortens a time for reading out pixel signals of all pixels and improves the aperture ratio of pixels is provided. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels (3) arranged in a matrix along a plurality of rows and columns, in which each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element and a color filter; a plurality of buffers (2) arranged with each one corresponding to a plurality of pixels; and a plurality of vertical output lines (1) arranged such that two or more of the vertical output lines (1) are arranged correspondingly to one of the columns of the pixels; in which an input node of each of the buffers is connected commonly to a plurality of pixels having color filters of different colors, and output nodes of the plurality of buffers are connected alternately to a plurality of vertical output lines.