Time of flight sensor, a three-dimensional imaging device using the same, and a method for driving the three-dimensional imaging device

• Main Authors: Eisenberg, Amit, Keel, Min Sun, Bitan, Gal
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.07.2022
• Subjects: ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION ORRERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; MEASURING; MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; NAVIGATION; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY; PHYSICS; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION; RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; SURVEYING; TESTING

A time of flight (ToF) sensor includes: a first pixel including a first photogate to receive light reflected by an object and generate a first phase signal, and a second photogate to generate a second phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to the first phase signal; a second pixel including a third photogate to receive the reflected light and generate a third phase signal different from the first phase signal and a fourth photogate to generate a fourth phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees with respect to the third phase signal; a first signal output unit to output the first and second phase signals; and a second signal output unit to output the third and fourth phase signals, wherein the first, second, third and fourth photogates output the first to fourth phase signals during a frame period.