Active pixel image sensor with common gate amplifier mode
AssigneeSensata Technologies, Inc.
InventorsHae-Seung Lee, Keith G. Fife
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus to operate a pixel circuit within an active pixel image sensor in a common gate amplifier mode. A bias voltage is applied to a row select transistor in a pixel circuit, and the row select transistor is operated in a common gate amplifier mode. Moreover, the row select transistor can be operated in the common gate amplifier mode for a reset period. An integrated photo current is transferred from a sense capacitor to a capacitor coupled between a drain of the row select transistor and a sense node. Also, a row select voltage is applied to the row select transistor, and the pixel circuit is operated in a common source amplifier mode for a readout period.
Claims13
A method, comprising:
- applying a bias voltage to a row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating the row select transistor in a common gate amplifier mode;
- and
- transferring an integrated photo current from a sense capacitor to a capacitor coupled between a drain of the row select transistor and a sense node.
A method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to a row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating, in response to the applied first voltage, the row select transistor in a non-common gate amplifier mode;
- applying a bias voltage to the row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating, in response to the applied bias voltage, the row select transistor in a common gate amplifier mode;
- and
- operating the row select transistor in the pixel circuit in the common gate amplifier mode for a reset period.
A method, comprising:
- applying a bias voltage to a row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating the row select transistor in a common gate amplifier mode;
- and
- transferring an integrated photo current from a sense capacitor to a capacitor coupled between a source of the row select transistor and a sense node.
A method comprising:
- applying a first voltage to a row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating, in response to the applied first voltage, the row select transistor in a non-common gate amplifier mode;
- applying a bias voltage to the row select transistor in a pixel circuit;
- operating, in response to the applied bias voltage, the row select transistor in a common gate amplifier mode;
- and
- operating the row select transistor in the pixel circuit in a common source amplifier mode for a readout period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.