Circuit and Method for Image Artifact Reduction in High-Density, High-Pixel-Count, Image Sensor with Phase Detection Autofocus

An image sensor comprising:

• an array comprising a plurality of multiple-photodiode cells, each multiple-photodiode cell comprising:
• a plurality of photodiodes, each photodiode coupled through a selection transistor to a common node of the multiple-photodiode cell,
• the selection transistors controlled by respective photodiode transfer lines,
• a reset transistor coupled to the common node of the multiple-photodiode cell,
• a sense source follower controlled by the common node of the multiple-photodiode cell, and
• a read transistor coupled from the sense source follower to a data line;
• the array comprising at least one phase detection row comprising phase detection multiple-photodiode cells of the plurality of multiple-photodiode cells and normal multiple-photodiode cells of the plurality of multiple-photodiode cells;
• and
• at least one compensation row comprising a plurality of dummy multiple photodiode cells of the plurality of multiple-photodiode cells
• wherein each of the at least one phase detection row comprises at least one multiple-photodiode cell comprising at least one photodiode coupled to the common node of the phase detection multiple-photodiode cell by a selection transistor controlled by a photodiode transfer line separate from photodiode transfer lines coupled to selection transistors of normal multiple-photodiode cells of the phase detection row;
• and
• the photodiode transfer lines coupled to the selection transistors of the normal multiple-photodiode cells of the phase detection row configured with a resistance-capacitance delay reduction apparatus selected from the group consisting of a first decoder coupled to a first end of the photodiode transfer lines coupled to the selection transistors of the normal multiple-photodiode cells and a second decoder coupled to a second end of the photodiode transfer lines coupled to the selection transistors of the normal multiple-photodiode cells, and the photodiode transfer lines coupled to the selection transistors of the normal multiple-photodiode cells being forked.