High dynamic range image sensor with virtual high-low sensitivity pixels

An imaging system, comprising:

• a pixel array including a plurality of photodetectors arranged in semiconductor material, wherein each one of the plurality of photodetectors is identically sized and is fabricated in the semiconductor material with identical semiconductor processing conditions, wherein the plurality of photodetectors are organized into virtual high-low sensitivity groupings including a first photodetector and a second photodetector;
• an array of microlenses disposed over the semiconductor material, wherein each one of the microlenses is disposed over a respective one of the photodetectors, wherein a first microlens of the array of microlenses is disposed over the first photodetector, and wherein a second microlens of the array of microlenses is disposed over the second photodetector;
• a plurality of attenuators disposed over the semiconductor material, wherein each one of the plurality of attenuators is disposed along a first optical path between the first microlens and the first photodetector of each virtual high-low sensitivity grouping such that all incident light directed into the first photodetector is directed through a respective one of the plurality of attenuators, wherein there is an absence of one of the plurality of attenuators along a second optical path between the second microlens and the second photodetector of each virtual high-low sensitivity grouping such that all the incident light directed into the second photodetector is not directed through one of the plurality of attenuators;
• control circuitry coupled to the pixel array to control operation of the pixel array;
• and
• readout circuitry coupled to the pixel array to readout image data from the pixel array.