Image pixels with in-column comparators
Abstract:
Image sensors may include imaging pixels that have comparators to read out image pixel signals. An imaging pixel may include a photodiode, a floating diffusion region, and a transfer transistor that transfers charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion region. The floating diffusion region may be coupled to a source follower transistor. The source follower transistor may be coupled to a current source. A row select transistor may be interposed between the source follower transistor and the current source. To form an in-column comparator stage and reduce power consumption, an additional transistor may be interposed between the row select transistor and the current source. The additional transistor may be a pMOS transistor and the source follower transistor may be an nMOS transistor. The additional transistor may have a gate that receives a searching voltage that is ramped from a maximum value to a minimum value.
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