Back to articles
Articles
Volume: 30 | Article ID: art00008
Image
Partial reset HDR image sensor with improved fixed pattern noise performance
  DOI :  10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2018.11.IMSE-422  Published OnlineJanuary 2018
Abstract

An efficient method is presented to achieve 4T pixel dynamic range extension whilst keeping the fixed pattern noise (FPN) low. The method utilizes the floating diffusion node as a secondary photocharge integration node with a partial reset applied to the floating diffusion node. The output image signal is a recombination of the linear signal integrated in the photodiode node, and a compressed signal integrated in the floating diffusion node. The recombination algorithm suppresses the FPN stemming from the variable transfer gate potential barrier height. An image sensor array of 1344x1008 pixels was built in 0.11um technology. We demonstrate the preservation of low light sensitivity of 4T pixels, a dark noise of 3.5e-, and a dynamic range for the current sensor of 115 dB, with potential to greatly exceed 120-dB. Further, the FPN stemming from the transfer gate potential barrier height variation does not degrade the image; the pixel compressive response can be controlled on a per frame basis depending on the scene, and the HDR scene is captured during one frame. The sensor combines the properties that are crucial for automotive and other machine vision applications.

Subject Areas :
Views 13
Downloads 5
 articleview.views 13
 articleview.downloads 5
  Cite this article 

Volodymyr Seliuchenko, Sharath Patil, Marcelo Mizuki, Saad Ahmad, Maarten Kuijk, "Partial reset HDR image sensor with improved fixed pattern noise performancein Proc. IS&T Int’l. Symp. on Electronic Imaging: Image Sensors and Imaging Systems,  2018,  pp 422-1 - 422-6,  https://doi.org/10.2352/ISSN.2470-1173.2018.11.IMSE-422

 Copy citation
  Copyright statement 
Copyright © Society for Imaging Science and Technology 2018
72010604
Electronic Imaging
2470-1173
Society for Imaging Science and Technology