Low-voltage operation of a CMOS image sensor based on pulse frequency modulation

Jun Ohta; Hirohiko Sakata; Takashi Tokuda; Masahiro Nunoshita

doi:10.1117/12.426967

15 May 2001 Low-voltage operation of a CMOS image sensor based on pulse frequency modulation

Jun Ohta, Hirohiko Sakata, Takashi Tokuda, Masahiro Nunoshita

Proceedings Volume 4306, Sensors and Camera Systems for Scientific, Industrial, and Digital Photography Applications II; (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.426967
Event: Photonics West 2001 - Electronic Imaging, 2001, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

Inspired by biological information scheme, pulse frequency modulation (PFM) technique is robust for noise sources due to its digital encode of analog signals. In a viewpoint of image sensors, PFM is also useful for a wide dynamic range and has already been demonstrated over 60 dB. We have designed a pixel circuit of a CMOS image sensor using PFM for the next generation architecture of vision chips. The chip is fabricated using a standard 0.35 micrometers double poly, triple metal CMOS technology. The photodiode is a parasitic pn diode between p-well and n-diffusion with the size of 2 micrometers squares. The top of the photodiode is covered with third metal and 1 micrometers square hole is open for aperture. Feedback circuits consist of a Schmitt trigger and two inverters. We have demonstrated by introducing PFM the chip works well under the power supply voltage of 0.55V with 50 dB. Such a low voltage operation suggests deep sub-micron technologies, for example, 0.18 micrometers technologies could be applied to the sensor. The other important point in our chip is that the photodiode is very small in size of 2 micrometers by 2 micrometers with the aperture size of 1 micrometers by 1 micrometers . This enables us to realize an image sensor with a small fill factor, which is very useful for vision chips where functional circuits are integrated in each pixel.

Citation Download Citation

Jun Ohta, Hirohiko Sakata, Takashi Tokuda, and Masahiro Nunoshita "Low-voltage operation of a CMOS image sensor based on pulse frequency modulation", Proc. SPIE 4306, Sensors and Camera Systems for Scientific, Industrial, and Digital Photography Applications II, (15 May 2001); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.426967

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