Sample-Hold Unit kTC Noise Minimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-capturing devices face challenges in accurately canceling noise, particularly kTC noise, which changes with environmental conditions such as temperature, requiring more precise noise cancellation methods.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sample-hold unit with an operational amplifier and a kTC cancellation unit that sets the transconductance or capacitance values to minimize kTC noise, using a signal processing unit to optimize noise cancellation by adjusting parameters like transconductance, capacitance, and feedback coefficients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional noise cancellation methods are used, then basic noise reduction is achieved, but noise cancellation accuracy deteriorates when environmental conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the operational amplifier's transconductance parameter based on detected noise levels. The system continuously monitors kTC noise characteristics and adjusts the transconductance to optimize noise cancellation performance under varying environmental conditions, transforming a static parameter into a dynamically adaptable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transconductance parameter of the operational amplifier to minimize kTC noise. By adjusting this critical parameter based on environmental conditions and noise characteristics, the system achieves adaptive noise cancellation that maintains high accuracy across different operating conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the transconductance of the operational amplifier is increased to reduce kTC noise, then noise cancellation improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the transconductance parameter to achieve the minimum necessary value for effective kTC noise cancellation. Rather than using excessively high transconductance values, the system carefully adjusts the parameter to find the optimal balance point where sufficient noise reduction is achieved with minimal power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor noise cancellation effectiveness and adjust the operational amplifier's transconductance accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that power consumption is minimized while maintaining adequate noise cancellation performance by only using the amount of transconductance necessary to achieve the desired noise reduction.
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 enables more accurate noise cancellation, adapting to changes in noise generation due to environmental factors, thereby improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
an image-capturing device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor is used... a pixel in which a photodiode (PD) performing photoelectric conversion
Implementation Method 2
a kTC cancellation unit that reduces kTC noise in the sample-hold unit... sets a capacitance value of a capacitor included in the kTC cancellation unit to a capacitance value where the kTC noise is minimized
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to an image-capturing device and an electronic apparatus that are capable of reducing kTC noise. A sample-hold unit that performs sampling and holding of a pixel signal, an analog-digital (AD) conversion unit that performs AD conversion of the pixel signal, and a setting unit that sets a transconductance of an operational amplifier included in the sample-hold unit to a transconductance where kTC noise is minimized are included. Alternatively, a sample-hold unit that performs sampling and holding of a pixel signal, a kTC cancellation unit that reduces kTC noise in the sample-hold unit, an analog-digital (AD) conversion unit that performs AD conversion of the pixel signal, and a setting unit that sets a capacitance value of a capacitor included in the kTC cancellation unit to a capacitance value where the kTC noise is minimized are included.