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US 5,337,340 AGranted
Charge multiplying detector (CMD) suitable for small pixel CCD image sensors
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorJaroslav Hynecek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Generally, and in one form of the invention, a method for multiplying charge in a CCD cell is disclosed comprising the step of causing impact ionization of charge carriers in the CCD cell. Other devices, systems and methods are also disclosed.
Claims27
A method for automatic gain control in an image sensor array, comprising the steps of:
- sensing an image in said array;
- detecting a level of charge generated by said image in said array;
- and
- adjusting a bias level applied to said array in response to said detected level, said bias level generating a proportional electric field in at least one of said array in order to cause impact ionization by charge careers moving in said field.
1 more element
A charge multiplying device (CMD) charge coupled device (CCD) comprising:
- a buried channel CCD cell;
- a potential well in said CCD cell for temporarily holding charge;
- an electric field region in a portion of said CCD cell separated from said potential well;
- a charge transfer barrier between said potential well and said electric field region to prevent said charge from flowing from said potential well region until said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization;
- and
- means for causing said charge in said potential well to flow into said electric field region when said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization, said flow resulting in multiplication of said charge by impact ionization.
3 more elements
An image sensor array having automatic gain control comprising:
- an array for sensing an image;
- a detector coupled to an output of said array for detecting a level of charge generated by said image in said array;
- and
- circuitry coupled to said array and said detector for adjusting a bias level applied to said array in response to said detected level, said bias level generating a proportional electric field in at least one cell of said array in order to cause impact ionization by charge careers moving in said field.
1 more element
A motion video camera comprising:
- An image sensor array having automatic gain control comprising:
- an array for sensing an image;
- a detector coupled to an output of said array for detecting a level of charge generated by said image in said array;
- and
- circuitry coupled to said array and said detector for adjusting a bias level applied to said array in response to said detected level, said bias level generating a proportional electric field in at least one cell of said array in order to cause impact ionization by charge carders moving in said field.
2 more elements
A still video camera comprising:
- An image sensor array having automatic gain control comprising:
- an array for sensing an image;
- a detector coupled to an output of said array for detecting a level of charge generated by said image in said array;
- and
- circuitry coupled to said array and said detector for adjusting a bias level applied to said array in response to said detected level, said bias level generating a proportional electric field in at least one cell of said array in order to cause impact ionization by charge carriers moving in said field.
2 more elements
A charge multiplying device (CMD) charge coupled device (CCD) comprising:
- a multiphase CCD cell;
- a potential well in said CCD cell for temporarily holding charge;
- an electric field region in a portion of said CCD cell separated from said potential well;
- a charge transfer barrier between said potential well and said electric field region to prevent said charge from flowing from said potential well region until said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization;
- and
- means for causing said charge in said potential well to flow into said electric field region when said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization, said flow resulting in multiplication of said charge by impact ionization.
3 more elements
A charge multiplying device (CMD) charge coupled device (CCD) comprising:
- a virtual phase CCD cell;
- a potential well in said CCD cell for temporarily holding charge;
- an electric field region in a portion of said CCD cell separated from said potential well;
- a charge transfer barrier between said potential well and said electric field region to prevent said charge from flowing from said potential well region until said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization;
- and
- means for causing said charge in said potential well to flow into said electric field region when said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization, said flow resulting in multiplication of said charge by impact ionization.
3 more elements
A charge multiplying device (CMD) charge coupled device (CCD) comprising:
- a surface channel CCD cell;
- a potential well in said CCD cell for temporarily holding charge;
- an electric field region in a portion of said CCD cell separated from said potential well, said electric field created by creating a potential difference between two regions in said CCD cell by doping said regions differently;
- a charge transfer barrier between said potential well and said electric field region to prevent said charge from flowing from said potential well region until said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization;
- and
- means for causing said charge in said potential well to flow into said electric field region when said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization, said flow resulting in multiplication of said charge by impact ionization.
3 more elements
A charge multiplying device (CMD) charge coupled device (CCD) comprising:
- a CCD cell based on a two dimensional electron gas structure;
- a potential well in said CCD cell for temporarily holding charge;
- an electric field region in a portion of said CCD cell separated from said potential well;
- a charge transfer barrier between said potential well and said electric field region to prevent said charge from flowing from said potential well region until said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization;
- and
- means for causing said charge in said potential well to flow into said electric field region when said electric field region is of sufficient strength to cause impact ionization, said flow resulting in multiplication of said charge by impact ionization.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.