Stacked Optical Pixel Array for Low-Power Sum-of-Product Computing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional computing schemes face limitations in improving energy efficiency and increase power consumption due to sophisticated calculations, leading to potential saturation of cloud processing capacity.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with stacked substrate groups, including a light source cell array and a pixel array, performs sum-of-product computations efficiently by overlapping these layers to reduce power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional computing schemes are used, then processing can be performed, but power consumption increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source cell array and pixel array into a single integrated imaging chip structure. The light source cells are positioned directly above the pixel array, combining illumination and detection functions in one device. This integration enables sophisticated calculations to be performed at lower power consumption by eliminating the need for separate processing units and reducing data transmission overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar arrangement to three-dimensional stacking by positioning the light source cell array in the vertical dimension above the pixel array. This spatial reconfiguration allows for compact integration and reduces the computational path length, enabling efficient sum-of-product computations without increasing power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expression methods of computation are increased to realize sophisticated calculations, then calculation capability improves, but latency increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electronic computation with optical computation. Light source cells generate light signals that directly interact with pixel array elements to perform sum-of-product computations through optical modulation and detection. This substitution eliminates sequential processing steps, reducing latency while maintaining sophisticated calculation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of computation from electrical signals to optical signals. By using light modulation and detection, the system achieves parallel processing of multiple calculations simultaneously, reducing latency and enabling sophisticated computations without the power consumption penalties of conventional electronic approaches.
3Productivity
If light source cell array and pixel array are stacked with overlap, then computation efficiency improves and power consumption decreases, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging device into distinct functional modules: light source cells for illumination generation and pixel array elements for detection and computation. Each module is independently optimized and then integrated through vertical stacking. This segmentation allows for simplified design of individual components while achieving complex computational functionality through their coordinated operation.
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
Enables sophisticated calculations at lower power consumption, contributing to improved efficiency in large-scale data center computations and reducing power demands.
Implementation Method 1
a pixel array portion configured to photoelectrically convert the light signal and output a pixel signal representing a result of a sum-of-product computation
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an imaging apparatus which enables sophisticated calculations to be realized at lower power. An imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first substrate group in which is arranged a light source cell array portion configured to generate a light signal; and a second substrate group in which is arranged a pixel array portion configured to photoelectrically convert the light signal and output a pixel signal representing a result of a sum-of-product computation. The first substrate group and the second substrate group are stacked so that at least a part of the light source cell array portion overlaps with the pixel array portion.