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US 2007/0164197 A1Published application
Linear distributed pixel amplifier
AssigneeMicron Technology, Inc.
InventorChristian Boemler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pixel circuit that partially incorporates an associated column amplifier into the pixel circuitry. By incorporating part of a mirrored amplifier into the pixel, noise from the pixel is reduced.
Claims40
An imager readout circuit comprising:
- a first circuit provided in at least one pixel for providing a pixel output;
- and
- a differential amplifier having one differential input for receiving the pixel output and another differential input for receiving a signal representing the output of said differential amplifier.
A pixel for an imaging system, said pixel comprising:
- a readout circuit which is selectable;
- and
- a differential column readout circuit for providing a pixel output signal and comprising one input which can be selectively coupled to said pixel readout circuit and another input coupled to a circuit receiving an output of said readout circuit.
A pixel circuit, comprising:
- a pixel having part of a mirror circuit;
- and
- a column amplifier associated with said pixel having another part of the mirror circuit, wherein both parts of the mirror circuit are used in conjunction to readout signals from said pixel.
A method of operating a pixel circuit, comprising the steps of:
- extinguishing said pixel circuit;
- resetting a pixel in said pixel circuit;
- sampling a reset signal from said pixel;
- and
- sampling an integration signal from said pixel.
2 more elements
An imaging system, comprising:
- an imager readout circuit, comprising:
- a first circuit provided in at least one pixel for providing a pixel output;
- and
- a differential amplifier having one differential input for receiving the pixel output and another differential input for receiving a signal representing the output of said differential amplifier.
1 more element
An imaging system, comprising:
- a pixel for an imaging system, said pixel comprising:
- a readout circuit which is selectable;
- and
- a differential column readout circuit for providing a pixel output signal and comprising one input which can be selectively coupled to said pixel readout circuit and another input coupled to a circuit receiving an output of said readout circuit.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.