Active pixel sensor (aps) readout structure with amplification
OwnerAnders Anderssoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An active pixel sensor (APS) includes an array of individually addressable APS cells ad a pixel readout structure that includes an amplifier. The amplifier may have a two-branched structure and provide a gain of one or higher. Additional switches may be provided in the pixels to provide protection for pixel output transistors from voltage changes in the column line. Structure may also be provided for optional gain selection in the amplifier.
Claims11
1-17. (canceled)
A method of reading out a signal from an imager pixel in an imager device, said method comprising the acts of:
- converting photo-generated charge from a photosensor in the pixel into a first voltage;
- outputting the first voltage to a first amplifier branch;
- and
- amplifying the first voltage in a second amplifier branch to apply a gain greater than one to the first voltage.
A method of reading out a signal from an imager pixel in an imager device, said method comprising the acts of:
- converting photo-generated charge from a photosensor in the pixel into a first voltage;
- outputting the first voltage to a first amplifier branch;
- amplifying the first voltage in a second amplifier branch to apply a first gain to the first voltage;
- altering the first gain to form a second gain by connecting a gain altering element to the second amplifier branch;
- and
- applying the second gain to the first voltage.
A method of reading out a signal from an imager pixel in an imager device, said method comprising the acts of:
- converting photo-generated charge in the pixel into a first voltage;
- outputting the first voltage to a first amplifier branch;
- selecting a gain to be applied to the first voltage by connecting a gain altering element to the second amplifier branch;
- and
- applying the selected gain to first voltage in a second amplifier branch to form an amplified voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.