TOF Imaging Element Sub-Pixel Binning Wire Length Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distance measuring devices using Time Of Flight (TOF) systems, the existing imaging elements require longer connection wires for binning, which increases the length of the connection wire and reduces the aperture ratio, thereby affecting the device's performance.
Innovation Solution
The imaging element is configured with adjacent first and second sub-pixels in a grid array, where each sub-pixel has charge storage parts that are connected by switchable wires, allowing for reduced connection wire lengths by eliminating the need for wires to pass through non-connected sub-pixels, thus optimizing the arrangement for binning mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If connection wires are extended to connect sub-pixels for binning mode, then binning functionality is achieved, but connection wire length increases and aperture ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the array structure from alternating sub-pixel arrangement (first sub pixel, second sub pixel, first sub pixel, second sub pixel...) to grouped arrangement where first sub pixels are continuously arrayed together and second sub pixels are continuously arrayed together. This spatial reorganization in the row direction enables connection wires to connect adjacent sub pixels of the same type directly, reducing wire length from spanning multiple alternating pixels to connecting only neighboring pixels within the same group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges adjacent sub pixels of the same type (first sub pixels or second sub pixels) into continuous groups or blocks. By combining multiple sub pixels of the same type into contiguous arrays, the connection wires can serve multiple sub pixels sequentially without having to jump back and forth across alternating pixels, thereby reducing total wire length and improving aperture ratio while maintaining binning capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If connection wires are extended to connect sub-pixels for binning mode, then binning functionality is achieved, but aperture ratio is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the array structure from alternating sub-pixel arrangement to grouped arrangement where first sub pixels are continuously arrayed together and second sub pixels are continuously arrayed together. This spatial reorganization in the row direction enables connection wires to connect adjacent sub pixels of the same type directly, reducing wire length from spanning multiple alternating pixels to connecting only neighboring pixels within the same group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges adjacent sub pixels of the same type (first sub pixels or second sub pixels) into continuous groups or blocks. By combining multiple sub pixels of the same type into contiguous arrays, the connection wires can serve multiple sub pixels sequentially without having to jump back and forth across alternating pixels, thereby reducing total wire length and improving aperture ratio while maintaining binning capability.
3Measurement precision
If sub-pixels are alternately arrayed for TOF phase detection, then phase information acquisition is enabled, but connection wire length increases when binning is implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorganizes the array structure from alternating sub-pixel arrangement (first sub pixel, second sub pixel, first sub pixel, second sub pixel...) to grouped arrangement where first sub pixels are continuously arrayed together and second sub pixels are continuously arrayed together. This spatial reorganization in the row direction enables connection wires to connect adjacent sub pixels of the same type directly, reducing wire length from spanning multiple alternating pixels to connecting only neighboring pixels within the same group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pixel array into distinct regions: first row parts containing continuously arrayed first sub pixels, and second row parts containing continuously arrayed second sub pixels. These row parts are alternately arranged in the row direction, creating clear segmentation that allows independent optimization of connection paths for each sub-pixel type while maintaining the overall alternating structure needed for TOF phase detection.
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 reduces the length of connection wires, enhancing the aperture ratio and improving the performance of the distance measuring device by minimizing noise and reducing measurement processing time.
Implementation Method 1
a first charge generation part which generates charges of a charge quantity which is related to an intensity of incident light
Implementation Method 2
a phase difference detection unit which detects a phase difference between emitted modulated light that the modulated light emission unit has emitted and reflected modulated light
Data Source
AI summary
In a distance measuring device, a pixel G includes sub pixels Po and Pe in a row direction. Floating diffusion parts Fd1 to Fd4 detect charge quantities relating to reflected modulated light Lb in four terms which are delayed in start by every ¼ of a period of emitted modulated light La in order. A binning group Gv is configured by an array part that the two sub pixels Po and the two sub pixels Pe are adjacent to each other in a row direction.