Wide dynamic range active pixel with knee response

Television – Camera – system and detail – Solid-state image sensor

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C348S299000, C348S302000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10431397

ABSTRACT:
A pixel circuit, and a method for operating a pixel circuit, to provide a multiple knee response characteristic. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more feed-through pulse (FTP) signals are transmitted to an integration node to end a first linear integration time period. The FTP signal allows electrons to drain from the integration node to a reset node through a transfer gate. After the first integration period, a second linear integration period is conducted on the pixel circuit, where the photo conversion gain of the pixel circuit becomes reduced under higher illumination conditions due to the drained node. Such operation creates a pixel with a photo response having multiple “knee” points, where each “knee” in the photo response curve will create separate regions whose photo sensitivities can be independently controlled with minimal thermal interference. By setting different voltage levels for the FTP signal and by controlling the integration time periods, the photo-response of the pixel circuit can be easily controlled.

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Fox et al., E., “Wide-Dynamic-Range Pixel with Combined Linear and Logarithmic Response and Increased Signal Swing”.

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