Stacked Photoelectric Converter Layout for Fast Pixel Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to optimize the coupling between pixels and data output lines or drive wiring lines in solid-state imaging devices to enhance data readout speed and aperture ratio.
Innovation Solution
The solid-state imaging device incorporates a stacked photoelectric converter with multiple photoelectric conversion elements of different wavelength selectivity, featuring an integer multiple of data output lines per unit pixel column and shared drive wiring lines to reduce the number of drive wiring lines, thereby increasing aperture ratio and enabling high-speed data readout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple data output lines are provided for each unit pixel column to increase data readout speed, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel array is divided into multiple unit pixel columns, and data output lines are provided for each unit pixel column. This segmentation allows parallel data readout from different unit pixel columns, thereby increasing data readout speed while managing the complexity through organized modular structure
Solution Approach 2:
Drive wiring lines are designed to be shared across multiple photoelectric conversion elements. The same drive wiring line can control multiple photoelectric conversion elements in different unit pixel columns, reducing the total number of drive wiring lines needed while maintaining the ability to address and control individual elements
2Area of stationary object
If the number of drive wiring lines is reduced to increase aperture ratio, then area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple photoelectric conversion elements share common drive wiring lines. Instead of providing dedicated drive wiring lines for each photoelectric conversion element, the invention merges the wiring resources so that a single drive wiring line can serve multiple elements, thereby reducing the total wiring area and increasing aperture ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a three-dimensional stacked structure where photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in multiple layers. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the invention reduces the horizontal wiring requirements, allowing fewer drive wiring lines to serve more elements and thereby increasing the aperture ratio
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 higher data readout speed and increased aperture ratio by reducing the number of drive wiring lines, which blocks less light and facilitates efficient data retrieval without the need for separate time to obtain phase difference data for autofocus.
Implementation Method 1
Photoelectric conversion elements each including a material such as an organic semiconductor material having wavelength selectivity are each able to photoelectrically convert light in a specific wavelength band
Data Source
AI summary
A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a stacked photoelectric converter for each of a plurality of pixels. The stacked photoelectric converter has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements stacked therein. The plurality of photoelectric conversion elements each has different wavelength selectivity. This solid-state imaging device further includes a plurality of data output lines from which pixel signals based on electric charges outputted from the photoelectric conversion elements are outputted. A plurality of data output lines is provided for each predetermined unit pixel column. The plurality of the data output lines is equal in number to an integer multiple of the photoelectric conversion elements stacked in the stacked photoelectric converter.