公开(公告)号：EP1610544A1

公开(公告)日：2005-12-28

申请号：EP04253796.9

申请日：2004-06-25

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  Hurwitz, J.E.D. ,  Henderson, Robert

IPC: H04N5/217

CPC classification number: H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A readout circuit for an image sensing pixel array is disclosed, which is arranged to perform correlated double sampling and comprises readout circuitry which is capable of learning its own internal offset and the offset of both its inputs. In the process of correlated double sampling, one of two sampling capacitors can be made smaller, as the thermal noise it creates is learned. The reduction of size of the appropriate sampling capacitor enables the size of a multiplexer column to be reduced without affecting its noise contribution.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于图像感测像素阵列的读出电路，其被布置为执行相关双重采样，并且包括能够学习其自身的内部偏移及其两个输入的偏移的读出电路。 在相关双采样过程中，可以使两个采样电容器之一变小，因为它产生的热噪声被学习。 减小适当采样电容器的尺寸使得可以减小多路复用器的尺寸而不影响其噪声贡献。

公开(公告)号：EP2104234A1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-23

申请号：EP08153179.0

申请日：2008-03-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  Storm, Graeme ,  Qu, Min

IPC: H03M1/08 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3355 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An image sensor has a per-column ADC arrangement including first and second capacitors for correlated double sampling, and a comparator circuit. The capacitors are continuously connected to, respectively, the analog pixel signal and a ramp signal without use of a hold operation. The comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier having one input connected to the junction of the two capacitors and another input connected to a reference signal. The reference signal is preferably sampled and held from a reference voltage. The use of a differential amplifier as first stage of the comparator addresses problems arising from ground voltage bounce when a large pixel array images a scene with low contrast.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器具有包括用于相关双重采样的第一和第二电容器以及比较器电路的每列ADC装置。 电容器分别连续地连接到模拟像素信号和斜坡信号，而不使用保持操作。 比较器电路包括差分放大器，其具有连接到两个电容器的结的一个输入端和连接到参考信号的另一输入端。 参考信号优选地从参考电压采样和保持。 使用差分放大器作为比较器的第一级可以解决当大像素阵列以低对比度成像场景时，由接地电压反弹引起的问题。

公开(公告)号：EP1596578B1

公开(公告)日：2007-09-12

申请号：EP04252834.9

申请日：2004-05-15

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  Henderson, Robert

IPC: H04N3/15

CPC classification number: H04N5/335

公开(公告)号：EP2104234B1

公开(公告)日：2011-08-31

申请号：EP08153179.0

申请日：2008-03-21

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  Storm, Graeme ,  Qu, Min

IPC: H03M1/08 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3355 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An image sensor has a per-column ADC arrangement including first and second capacitors for correlated double sampling, and a comparator circuit. The capacitors are continuously connected to, respectively, the analog pixel signal and a ramp signal without use of a hold operation. The comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier having one input connected to the junction of the two capacitors and another input connected to a reference signal. The reference signal is preferably sampled and held from a reference voltage. The use of a differential amplifier as first stage of the comparator addresses problems arising from ground voltage bounce when a large pixel array images a scene with low contrast.

公开(公告)号：EP1641249A1

公开(公告)日：2006-03-29

申请号：EP04255878.3

申请日：2004-09-27

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Henderson, Robert ,  Purcell, Matthew ,  Storm, Graeme

IPC: H04N5/235

CPC classification number: H04N5/35581 ,  H04N5/23245 ,  H04N5/343 ,  H04N5/3452 ,  H04N5/3532

Abstract: A rolling blade exposure system is disclosed where odd rows of a pixel array are read out with a short exposure time and even rows are read out at a long exposure time. Each pair of sampled rows are stitched together before to form a single output line. The resultant image is then formed from the output lines. The stitching process ensures that the resultant image has a wide dynamic range. This is achieved at the expense of a loss of resolution, but this loss is acceptable for certain applications.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种滚动刀片曝光系统，其中以较短的曝光时间读出奇数行的像素阵列，并且甚至在长曝光时间读出行。 每对采样行在之前缝合在一起以形成单个输出线。 然后从输出线形成所得到的图像。 缝合过程确保所得到的图像具有宽的动态范围。 这是以牺牲分辨率为代价的，但这种损失对某些应用是可以接受的。

公开(公告)号：EP1596578A1

公开(公告)日：2005-11-16

申请号：EP04252834.9

申请日：2004-05-15

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  Henderson, Robert

IPC: H04N3/15

CPC classification number: H04N5/335

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed having an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns. A reference current source provides the reference current to a transistor forming one half of a current mirror. Each column has a current source which forms the other half of a current mirror. A switch is provided to selectively connect a resistive means between ground and the transistor. When the resistive means is connected, the transistor is starved of gate-source voltage which reduces the current supplied by each current source.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种具有排列成行和列的像素阵列的图像传感器。 参考电流源为形成电流镜的一半的晶体管提供参考电流。 每列具有形成当前镜的另一半的电流源。 提供开关以选择性地连接地和晶体管之间的电阻装置。 当电阻装置连接时，晶体管缺乏栅极 - 源极电压，这降低了每个电流源提供的电流。

公开(公告)号：EP1635470A1

公开(公告)日：2006-03-15

申请号：EP04255476.6

申请日：2004-09-09

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Henderson, Robert ,  Purcell, Matthew

IPC: H03M1/12 ,  H04N3/15

CPC classification number: H03M1/1023 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H03M1/56 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/3651 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An image sensor is described, which makes use of a distributed amplifier (10). The distributed amplifier (10) has its non-inverting input (22) provided by a pixel amplifier transistor (18), and its inverting input (20) and output (30) provided in the pixel's column circuitry (58). The distributed amplifier (10) is directly integrated with the image sensor's ADC circuit, and sampling and autozero are performed in a single step, thus reducing the number of noise contributions made by the components of the image sensor's readout chain.

Abstract translation: 一种图像传感器进行了说明，其利用分布式放大器（10）的。 分布式放大器（10）具有在像素的列电路（58）提供由像素放大器晶体管（18）提供其非反相输入端（22），它的反相输入端（20）和输出（30）。 分布式放大器（10）直接与所述图像传感器的ADC电路集成，并且采样和自动调零在单一步骤中进行，从而降低了由图像传感器的读出电路的组分制得噪声贡献的数量。

公开(公告)号：EP1557887A1

公开(公告)日：2005-07-27

申请号：EP04250324.3

申请日：2004-01-22

Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited

Inventor： Purcell, Matthew ,  LaFlaquiere, Arnauld

IPC: H01L27/148 ,  H04N3/15 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/3698

Abstract: Image sensor quality can be affected by power supply ripple caused by different loads on the power supply or through electromagnetic interference affecting the image sensor reference supplies. Improved reference voltage supplies are disclosed, minimising the effects of power supply ripple through Ahuja compensation and utilising parasitic capacitance.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器质量可能受电源不同负载引起的电源纹波或影响图像传感器参考电源的电磁干扰影响。 公开了改进的参考电压源，使得通过Ahuja补偿和利用寄生电容的电源纹波的影响最小化。