Imaging array with improved dynamic range utilizing parasitic photodiodes

A pixel sensor having a main photodiode and a parasitic photodiode and a method for reading out that pixel sensor are disclosed. The parasitic photodiode also serves the function of a floating diffusion node in the pixel. The pixel sensor is read by first determining the exposure as measured by the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Fowler, Boyd
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 13.11.2018
Subjects
BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
ELECTRIC SOLID STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
ELECTRICITY
PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
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Summary:A pixel sensor having a main photodiode and a parasitic photodiode and a method for reading out that pixel sensor are disclosed. The parasitic photodiode also serves the function of a floating diffusion node in the pixel. The pixel sensor is read by first determining the exposure as measured by the parasitic photodiode and then determining the exposure as read by the main photodiode. One of the two exposure measurements is chosen as the pixel output. The main photodiode has a light conversation efficiency chosen such that one of the two measurements will provide a measurement of the exposure over a dynamic range that is greater than that of either the main photodiode or the parasitic photodiode utilized separately.
Bibliography:Application Number: US201514591873