Method for operating a time-of-flight imager pixel

Details Method for operating a time-of-flight imager pixel Method for operating a time-of-flight imager pixel

2011-03-15

2011-03-15

Tarcza, Thomas H (Department: 3662)

Optics: measuring and testing

Range or remote distance finding

With photodetection

Reexamination Certificate

active

07907257

ABSTRACT:
A time-of-flight imager pixel has a light-sensitive region, a first and a second integration gate associated with the light-sensitive region, a first and a second sense node, a first output gate arranged between the first integration gate and the first sense node and a second output gate arranged between the second integration gate and the second sense node, a method for operating such a pixel includesexposing the light-sensitive region to light so as to optically generate charge carriers;collecting the charge carriers alternatively under the first and second integration gates;adjusting voltages of the first and second output gates and the first and second integration gates, thereby transferring a first portion of the charge carriers from the first integration gate into the first sense node and a second portion from the second integration gate into the second sense node;calculating time-of-flight information based on the first and second portions of charge carriers.adjusting at least one voltage so as to transfer, if respectively the first and/or second integration gate is close to or in saturation, an amount of charge carriers form the first and/or second integration gate into the first and/or second sense node; andtesting whether a voltage change exceeding a given threshold was thereby provoked in the first and/or second sense node.

REFERENCES:
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patent: 2006010284 (2006-02-01), None
Sprigi, T., et al. “The Multitap Lock-In CCD with Offset Subraction.” IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, IEEE Service Center, Piscataway, NJ, US, vol. 44, No. 10, Oct. 1997, pp. 1643-1647, XP000703874; ISSN: 0018-9383; Sections IV-VI on pp. 1645-1646.
International Search Report; PCT/EP2006/063836; Sep. 11, 2006.

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