US 2020/0404207 A1 · PIXEL ARRAY AND IMAGE SENSOR

Abstract

A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a photoelectric element formed on a substrate and that generates charge from light, and a pixel circuit formed between the photoelectric element and the substrate and that outputs a digital signal value based on an amount of the generated charge. The pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion formed in the substrate and that stores the charge therein, a vertical pixel electrode that connects the floating diffusion to the photoelectric element and extends in a direction perpendicular to the substrate, an analog-to-digital converter that converts an electric potential of the floating diffusion into the digital signal value, and a memory element that stores the digital signal value.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises:

a photoelectric element formed on a substrate and configured to generate charge from light;
and
a pixel circuit formed between the photoelectric element and the substrate, and configured to output a digital signal value based on an amount of the generated charge,
wherein the pixel circuit comprises
a floating diffusion formed in the substrate and configured to store the charge therein,
a vertical pixel electrode configured to connect the floating diffusion to the photoelectric element, the vertical pixel electrode extending in a direction perpendicular to the substrate,
an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an electric potential of the floating diffusion into the digital signal value, and
a memory element configured to store the digital signal value.

5 more elements

An image sensor comprising:

a pixel array comprising pixels arranged in a matrix form in a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines;
a sensor circuit configured to drive the pixel array;
and
an image processor configured to control the sensor circuit and generate an image,
wherein each of the pixels comprises
a photoelectric element configured to generate charge in proportion to intensity of incident light, and
a pixel circuit,
wherein the pixel circuit comprises
a floating diffusion formed in a substrate and configured to store the charge generated by the photoelectric element therein,
a vertical pixel electrode configured to connect the photoelectric element to the floating diffusion,
a reset transistor configured to provide a reset potential to the floating diffusion during a reset operation,
a driver transistor configured to generate a signal potential according to an electric potential of the floating diffusion,
an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the signal potential into a digital signal value during a sampling operation and generate a digital reset value based on the reset potential during the reset operation, and
a memory element configured to store the digital signal value during the sampling operation and store the digital reset value during the reset operation.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pixel array and image sensor

Life of this patent

Pixel array and image sensor

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20