Imaging device with pre-charged signal line

A method of operating an imaging device having an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns and a signal line for each column, wherein each pixel has a photodetector, comprising the steps of:

• resetting the photodetectors in a row;
• integrating the photodetector voltage as light impinges on the reset photodetectors;
• sampling the photodetectors by passing the integrated photodetector voltages to each of the signal lines;
• and
• applying a precharge voltage to the signal lines prior to the resetting of the photodetectors.

An imaging device comprising:

• a pixel element adapted to have a reset, integration and sampling operating cycle, said pixel element having a photodetector coupled to a reset switch, said reset switch being adapted to receive a reset signal and to apply a reset voltage to the photodetector;
• a signal line adapted to be selectively accessed by said pixel element to be sampled;
• and
• a precharge circuit selectively coupled to said signal line to provide a precharge voltage to said signal line prior to the application of the reset voltage to the photodetector.

An imaging device comprising:

• an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns and adapted to have a reset, integration and sampling operating cycle;
• column signal lines adapted to be selectively accessed by the rows of pixels to be sampled;
• and
• a precharge circuit adapted to place a voltage on the column signal lines prior to the resetting of each row of pixels.

An imaging device, comprising:

• a pixel element configured to have a reset, wherein the pixel element includes a photodetector coupled to a reset switch, and wherein the reset switch is configured to receive a reset signal and apply a reset voltage to the photodetector;
• a signal line configured to be selectively accessed by the pixel element and a plurality of other pixel elements;
• and
• a precharge circuit configured to be selectively coupled to the signal line to provide a precharge voltage to the signal line prior to application of the reset voltage to the photodetector.

An imaging device comprising:

• an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns and adapted to have a reset;
• column signal lines adapted to be selectively accessed by the rows of pixels;
• and
• a precharge circuit adapted to place a voltage on the column signal lines prior to the resetting of each row of pixels.