Compact image sensor layout with charge multiplying register
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorJaroslav Hynecek
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Abstract
The image sensing device incorporates a charge multiplication function in its serial register. The design layout is compact in size and the charge multiplication register consists of multi-channel sections that are evenly positioned around the periphery of the image sensing area. The individual charge multiplying register sections are coupled together by only 90-degree multi-channel turns located at the image area array corners. The device allows for the optical image sensing area center to be located near the chip center and consequently near the mechanical package center with the minimum silicon chip area sacrifice.
Claims12
An image sensing device comprising:
- an image sensing area;
- and
- a charge multiplication serial register having a first portion extending along a first side of the image sensing area, and a second portion extending along a second side of the image sensing area.
A charge coupled device image sensing structure comprising:
- a charge coupled device image sensing area;
- an extended charge coupled device serial register coupled to the image sensing area, and having a portion of the extended charge coupled device serial register extending along a first side of the charge coupled device image sensing area;
- and
- a charge multiplication serial register coupled to the extended register and having a first portion of the charge multiplication serial register extending along a second side of the image sensing area, and a second portion of the charge multiplication serial register extending along a third side of the image sensing area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.