Methods and apparatus for signal distribution in an image sensor
AssigneeSemiconductor Components Industries, LLC
InventorsManuel H. INNOCENT, Tomas GEURTS
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Abstract
Various embodiments of the present technology provide a method and apparatus for signal distribution in an image sensor. In various embodiments, the apparatus provides a balanced signal distribution circuit having a plurality of driver circuits, wherein each driver circuit is connected to a logic circuit, distributed either directly below the pixel array or interspersed within the pixel array. A clock distribution network is connected to the logic circuit to provide all the logic circuits with a clock signal substantially simultaneously, which, in turn, controls all of the driver circuits substantially simultaneously and all pixels in the pixel array receive a control signal substantially simultaneously.
Claims20
An image sensor, comprising:
- a pixel array comprising:
- an outer region comprising a first pixel located in a first row of the pixel array and a second pixel located in a last row of the pixel array;
- and
- a central region comprising a third pixel located substantially at a geometric center of the pixel array;
- and
- a balanced signal distribution circuit directly connected to the outer region with a first conductive path and directly connected to the central region with a second conductive path, and configured to deliver a control signal, using the first and second conductive paths, to the outer and central regions at substantially the same time.
A method for forming an image sensor capable of balanced signal distribution, comprising:
- forming a pixel array comprising an outer region and a central region, wherein the outer region comprises a first pixel located in a first row of the pixel array and a second pixel located in a last row of the pixel array;
- and the central region comprises a third pixel located substantially at a geometric center of the pixel array;
- and
- forming a balanced signal distribution circuit capable of:
- transmitting a control signal across a signal control line to a plurality of control circuits;
- wherein each control circuit stores the control signal;
- transmitting a clock signal across a clock distribution network to the plurality of control circuits;
- and
- supplying, with the plurality of control circuits, the control signal to the pixels located in the outer region and the central region substantially simultaneously.
An image sensor, comprising:
- a pixel array comprising an outer region and a central region, wherein the outer region comprises a first pixel located in a first row of the pixel array and a second pixel located in a last row of the pixel array;
- and the central region comprises a third pixel located substantially at a geometric center of the pixel array;
- and
- a balanced signal distribution circuit connected to the pixel array and comprising:
- a plurality of control circuits, each control circuit comprising a logic circuit;
- and
- a balanced network coupling the plurality of control circuits to each other and configured to transmit at least one of:
- a control signal to each logic circuit;
- and
- a clock signal to each logic circuit;
- wherein:
- the plurality of control circuits are configured to transmit control signals to the pixel array according to the clock signal;
- and
- the pixels located in the outer region and the central region receive the plurality of control signals substantially simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.