HALF QUAD PHOTODIODE (QPD) TO IMPROVE QPD CHANNEL IMBALANCE

    公开(公告)号:US20230395628A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-07

    申请号:US17832399

    申请日:2022-06-03

    CPC classification number: H01L27/14627 H01L27/14645

    Abstract: Half Quad Photodiode (QPD) for improving QPD channel imbalance. In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns of a pixel array that is disposed in a semiconductor material. Each pixel includes a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel comprises a plurality of first photodiodes, a plurality of second photodiodes and a plurality of third photodiodes. The plurality of pixels are configured to receive incoming light through an illuminated surface of the semiconductor material. A plurality of small microlenses are individually distributed over individual first photodiodes and individual second photodiodes of each subpixel. A plurality of large microlenses are each distributed over a plurality of third photodiodes of each subpixel. A diameter of the small microlenses is smaller than a diameter of the large microlenses.

    HYBRID IMAGE PIXELS FOR PHASE DETECTION AUTO FOCUS

    公开(公告)号:US20230395626A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-12-07

    申请号:US17832335

    申请日:2022-06-03

    Abstract: Image sensors for Phase-Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) are provided. An image sensor includes a pixel including a plurality of photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor material according to an arrangement. The arrangement defines a first image subpixel comprising a plurality of first photodiodes, a second image subpixel comprising a plurality of second photodiodes, and a third image subpixel including a plurality of third photodiodes, and a phase detection subpixel comprising a first photodiode, a second photodiode, or a third photodiodes. The pixel can include a plurality of first micro-lenses disposed individually overlying at least a subset of the plurality of photodiodes of the first, second and third image subpixels. The pixel can also include a second micro-lens disposed overlying the phase detection subpixel, a first micro-lens of the first micro-lenses having a first radius less than a second radius of the second micro-lens.

    IMAGE SENSOR WITH THREE READOUT APPROACH FOR PHASE DETECTION AUTOFOCUS AND IMAGE SENSING PIXELS

    公开(公告)号:US20220394201A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-08

    申请号:US17342383

    申请日:2021-06-08

    Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a photodiode array to generate charge in response to incident light. The plurality of photodiodes includes first and second photodiodes. A shared floating diffusion receives charge transferred from the first and second photodiodes. An analog to digital converter (ADC) performs a first ADC conversion to generate a reference readout in response to charge in the shared floating diffusion after a reset operation. The ADC is next performs a second ADC conversion to generate a first half of a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) readout in response to charge transferred from the first photodiode to the shared floating diffusion. The ADC then performs a third ADC conversion to generate a full image readout in response to charge transferred from the second photodiode combined with the charge transferred previously from the first photodiode in the shared floating diffusion.

    IMAGE SENSOR WITH IN-PIXEL BACKGROUND SUBTRACTION AND MOTION DETECTION

    公开(公告)号:US20220247943A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-08-04

    申请号:US17167768

    申请日:2021-02-04

    Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array configured to generate image charge voltage signals in response to incident light received from an external scene. An infrared illumination source is deactivated during the capture of a first image of the external scene and activated during the capture of a second image of the external scene. An array of sample and hold circuits is coupled to the pixel array. Each sample and hold circuit is coupled to a respective pixel of the pixel array and includes first and second capacitors to store first and second image charge voltage signals of the captured first and second images, respectively. A column voltage domain differential amplifier is coupled to the first and second capacitors to determine a difference between the first and second image charge voltage signals to identify an object in a foreground of the external scene.

    Image sensor with in-pixel background subtraction and motion detection

    公开(公告)号:US11622087B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-04

    申请号:US17167768

    申请日:2021-02-04

    Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array configured to generate image charge voltage signals in response to incident light received from an external scene. An infrared illumination source is deactivated during the capture of a first image of the external scene and activated during the capture of a second image of the external scene. An array of sample and hold circuits is coupled to the pixel array. Each sample and hold circuit is coupled to a respective pixel of the pixel array and includes first and second capacitors to store first and second image charge voltage signals of the captured first and second images, respectively. A column voltage domain differential amplifier is coupled to the first and second capacitors to determine a difference between the first and second image charge voltage signals to identify an object in a foreground of the external scene.

    Image sensor with three readout approach for phase detection autofocus and image sensing photodiodes through multiple column bitlines

    公开(公告)号:US11463648B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-10-04

    申请号:US17342375

    申请日:2021-06-08

    Abstract: An imaging device includes a photodiode array with a first and second photodiodes. First and second floating diffusions are configured to receive charge from the first and second photodiodes, respectively. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is configured to receive simultaneously first and second bitline signals from the first and second floating diffusions, respectively. The ADC is configured to generate a reference readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after a reset operation. The ADC next generates a first half of a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the first PDAF photodiode to the first floating diffusion. The ADC then generates a full image readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the second photodiode to the second floating diffusion.

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