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US 2026/0172718 A1Published application
Pixel arrangement and method for operating a pixel arrangement
Assigneeams Sensors Belgium BVBA
InventorAdi XHAKONI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pixel arrangement comprises a photodiode, a circuit node, a transfer transistor, an amplifier, a supply terminal and a reset transistor. The transfer transistor is coupled to the photodiode and to the circuit node. The amplifier is coupled to the circuit node. The reset transistor is coupled to the supply terminal and to the circuit node. In a reset phase, charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a first conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal and further charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a second conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal. A method for operating a pixel arrangement is also provided.
Claims19
A pixel arrangement, comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a circuit node;
- a transfer transistor coupled to the photodiode and to the circuit node;
- an amplifier with an input coupled to the circuit node, the amplifier being configured to generate an output voltage as a function of a voltage tapped at the circuit node;
- a first capacitor and a second capacitor coupled to an output of the amplifier;
- a supply terminal;
- and
- a reset transistor coupled to the supply terminal and to the circuit node,
- wherein in a reset phase, charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a first conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal, and
- wherein in the reset phase, further charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a second conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal,
- wherein the transfer transistor is set in the first conducting state by a first pulse of a transfer signal with a first voltage value and in the second conducting state by a second pulse of the transfer signal with a second voltage value,
- wherein the first and the second voltage values are different,
- wherein in an exposure phase with a first exposure duration after the reset phase, charge of the photodiode is distributed via the transfer transistor to the circuit node,
- wherein after the exposure phase in a first storage phase, the output voltage of the amplifier is stored in the second capacitor,
- wherein after the first storage phase in a second storage phase, charge of the photodiode is provided via the transfer transistor,
- wherein the output voltage of the amplifier is stored in the first capacitor.
13 more elements
(canceled)
The pixel arrangement of claim 16,
- further comprising:
- a first transistor coupled to an output of the amplifier and to the first capacitor, and
- a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and to the second capacitor.
(canceled)
(canceled)
An image sensor
- comprising an array of pixel arrangements, the pixel arrangement comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a circuit node;
- a transfer transistor coupled to the photodiode and to the circuit node;
- an amplifier with an input coupled to the circuit node, the amplifier being configured to generate an output voltage as a function of a voltage tapped at the circuit node;
- a first capacitor and a second capacitor coupled to an output of the amplifier;
- a supply terminal;
- and
- a reset transistor coupled to the supply terminal and to the circuit node,
- wherein in a reset phase, charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a first conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal,
- wherein in the reset phase, further charge of the photodiode flows via the transfer transistor being set in a second conducting state and via the reset transistor to the supply terminal,
- wherein the transfer transistor is set in the first conducting state by a first pulse of a transfer signal with a first voltage value and in the second conducting state by a second pulse of the transfer signal with a second voltage value,
- wherein the first and the second voltage values are different,
- wherein in an exposure phase with a first exposure duration after the reset phase, charge of the photodiode is distributed via the transfer transistor to the circuit node,
- wherein after the exposure phase in a first storage phase, the output voltage of the amplifier is stored in the second capacitor,
- wherein after the first storage phase in a second storage phase, charge of the photodiode is provided via the transfer transistor,
- wherein the output voltage of the amplifier is stored in the first capacitor,
- wherein the image sensor is implemented as global shutter image sensor or as rolling shutter image sensor.
15 more elements
A method for operating a pixel arrangement, comprising:
- converting electromagnetic radiation into charge by a photodiode;
- in a reset phase, conducting charge of the photodiode via a transfer transistor being set in a first conducting state, a circuit node and a reset transistor to a supply terminal, and conducting further charge of the photodiode via the transfer transistor being set in a second conducting state, the circuit node and the reset transistor to the supply terminal, wherein the second conducting state is at least once interrupted,
- wherein the transfer transistor is coupled to the photodiode and to the circuit node,
- wherein the reset transistor is coupled to the circuit node and to the supply terminal,
- wherein in an exposure phase with a first exposure duration after the reset phase, charge of the photodiode is distributed via the transfer transistor to the circuit node,
- wherein after the exposure phase in a first storage phase, the output voltage of an amplifier is stored in a second capacitor, the amplifier being configured to generate an output voltage as a function of a voltage tapped at the circuit node,
- wherein after the first storage phase in a second storage phase, charge of the photodiode is provided via the transfer transistor,
- wherein the output voltage of the amplifier is stored in a first capacitor.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.