Bidirectional TDI Line Image Sensor Parallel Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bidirectional TDI line image sensors face challenges in reducing scanning time and device size due to the serial movement of charges from CCDs to the output unit, which delays the overall scanning process and increases power consumption and noise, especially when high-resolution images are required.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional TDI line image sensor configuration where charges from the first and last line sensors are selectively received and processed in parallel by a common output unit, performing analog-to-digital conversion and storing signals in a memory buffer for sequential output, utilizing CCDs and CMOS devices to enhance resolution and transmission rate while reducing power consumption and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If charges are moved serially from CCDs to the output unit, then device complexity is reduced, but scanning time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The output unit is segmented into multiple independent output components (first output component and second output component) that can simultaneously process charges from different line sensors. This segmentation allows parallel charge processing, increasing scanning speed without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from serial charge processing to parallel processing by adding a spatial dimension to the output structure. Multiple output components are arranged to receive charges from different line sensors simultaneously, effectively moving from one-dimensional serial processing to two-dimensional parallel processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple line sensors are arranged for bidirectional scanning, then scanning flexibility and coverage are improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second output components are merged into a single integrated output unit structure. This merging allows bidirectional scanning capability while maintaining a compact device footprint, as the shared output unit reduces the overall space required compared to having completely separate output systems for each scanning direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The output unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle charges from multiple line sensors in both scanning directions. By making the output components universal rather than direction-specific, the device achieves bidirectional scanning flexibility without requiring separate dedicated output paths for each direction, thus reducing device size.
3Productivity
If charges are accumulated and transmitted at high speed, then productivity is improved, but the amount of light received becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The TDI (Time Delay Integration) method implements continuous charge accumulation across multiple line sensors while charges are being transmitted. Instead of discrete accumulation followed by transmission, the system maintains continuous accumulation during the transmission process, ensuring sufficient light gathering even at high scanning speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
Charges are preliminarily accumulated in the CCDs of multiple line sensors before being transmitted to the output unit. This preliminary accumulation ensures that sufficient light energy is gathered in advance, allowing high-speed transmission without compromising the amount of light received for image formation.
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 improves image resolution and transmission rate, reduces power consumption and noise, and minimizes device size by parallel processing and common output components, effectively addressing the delays and size issues in existing bidirectional TDI line image sensors.
Implementation Method 1
A CCD refers to a device capable of transmitting charges from one device to another adjacent device
Implementation Method 2
An image sensor including CCDs has a structure in which the change of the amount of free charges in each cell caused by an amount of light is converted into an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a bidirectional TDI line image sensor. The bidirectional TDI line image sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a pixel unit, which has N line sensors having M CCDs arranged in a line and being arranged in a scan direction, moves, in the scan direction, charges accumulated in the respective columns of the line sensors, and accumulates the same; and an output unit for parallelly receiving as inputs the charges accumulated in the pixel unit from the respective columns, performing analog-to-digital conversion on and storing the charges, and then sequentially outputting same.