Method and circuit arrangement for setting an initial value on a charge-storage element
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsStephan Henker, Rene Schueffny
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for setting an initial value on a charge-storage element. A circuit includes at least one charge-storage element with at least one signal node coupled to at least one reset circuit that is associated with the charge-storage element. A diode can be included between the charge-storage element and the reset circuit. Initially, an initial potential is applied to the at least one signal node during a setting phase by connecting the at least one signal node to the initial potential. A rest potential can then be applied to the signal node during a subsequent holding phase.
Claims20
A method for setting an initial value on a charge-storage element, the method comprising:
- providing a circuit that includes at least one charge-storage element with at least one signal node coupled to at least one reset circuit that is associated with the charge-storage element;
- initially applying an initial potential to the at least one signal node during a setting phase by connecting the at least one signal node to the initial potential;
- and
- applying a rest potential to the signal node during a subsequent holding phase.
A circuit arrangement comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a reset device;
- and
- a diode coupled between the photodiode and the reset device, wherein the reset device provides an initial potential to the photodiode through the diode.
The circuit arrangement of claim 7, wherein the reset device comprises a first switch coupled between the diode and the initial potential and a second switch coupled between the diode and a rest potential.
A circuit arrangement comprising:
- a first photodiode including a first node and a second node;
- a second photodiode including a first node coupled to the second node of the first photodiode and also including a second node;
- a first reset circuit including an output node;
- a second reset circuit including an output node;
- a first diode with a first node coupled to the first node of the first photodiode and a second node coupled to the output node of the second reset circuit;
- a second diode with a first node coupled to the first node of the first photodiode and a second node coupled to the output node of the first reset circuit;
- and
- a third diode with a first node coupled to the first node of the second photodiode and the second node of the first photodiode, the third diode also having a second node coupled to the output node of the first reset circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.