Multiple conversion gain image sensor

摘要

An image sensor including an array of pixels, each having: a storage node coupled to a capacitive sense node by a transfer transistor; and a connection transistor coupling the pixel sense node to an intermediate node of the pixel, wherein each pixel has its intermediate node coupled to a node of application of a reset voltage by a reset transistor, and different pixels have their respective intermediate nodes interconnected by a conductive connection track.

主权项

1. An image sensor comprising:
an array of pixels, each pixel having:
a storage node;a capacitive sense nodea transfer transistor coupling the storage node to the capacitive sense node;an intermediate node;a reset voltage node configured to receive a reset voltage; anda connection transistor coupling the sense node to the intermediate node of the pixel; a first conductive connection track coupling the intermediate nodes of first and second pixels of the array to each other; and a control circuit configured to cause the connection transistor of the first pixel to electrically couple the capacitive sense node of the first pixel to the intermediate node of the second pixel via the first conductive connection track during a voltage conversion phase in which the transfer transistor of the first pixel converts photogenerated charges from the storage node of the first pixel to a voltage on the capacitive sense node of the first pixel.