IMAGE SENSOR WITH HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE AND METHOD

摘要

In one form, a pixel for use in image sensing comprises a photodetector, a sink device, and a readout circuit. The photodetector is formed in a semiconductor substrate and has a charge collection region for receiving photocharge representative of incident light. The sink device is formed in the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to the charge collection region and has a gate overlying and insulated from the semiconductor substrate and receiving a responsivity control signal. The readout circuit transfers the photocharge collected by the charge collection region of the photodetector to an output in response to a select signal. In another form, the pixel may be used in an image sensor having a pixel array of such pixels.

主权项

1. An image sensor comprising a pixel array, each pixel of said pixel array comprising:
a photodetector formed in a semiconductor substrate and having a charge collection region for receiving photocharge representative of incident light; a sink device formed in said semiconductor substrate and adjacent to said charge collection region having a gate overlying and insulated from said semiconductor substrate and receiving a responsivity control signal; and a readout circuit for transferring said photocharge collected by said charge collection region of said photodetector to an output in response to a select signal.