Repartitioned digital pixel

摘要

An imaging system includes an array of pixel cells and a plurality of digital memory elements disposed physically separate from and coupled to the array of pixel cells. Each of the pixel cells includes a photodetector, an electrical storage device coupled to the photodetector, and quantization circuitry coupled to the electrical storage device. The photodetector is configured to generate a photo-current in response to light impinging thereon. The electrical storage device is configured to accumulate an electrical charge from the photo-current. The quantization circuitry is configured to convert the electrical charge into an analog quantization event signal. Each of the digital memory elements is in electrical communication with at least one of the pixel cells and is configured to store a digital value in response to receiving the analog quantization event signal from the at least one of the pixel cells.

主权项

1. An imaging system comprising:
an array of pixel cells, each of the pixel cells including:
an input configured to received a photo-current;an electrical storage device coupled to the input and configured to accumulate an electrical charge from the photo-current, andquantization circuitry coupled to the electrical storage device and configured to convert the electrical charge into an analog quantization event signal; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters having an input and an output, wherein each of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters is coupled via its input to the electrical storage device of at least one of the pixel cells and configured to convert a residual electrical charge in the respective electrical storage device into a digital binary value; and a corresponding plurality of digital counters included in a plurality of digital memory elements disposed physically separate from and coupled to the array of pixel cells, each of the digital counters being associated and in communication with a respective one of the pixel cells and configured to increment and store a digital counter value in response to receiving the analog quantization event signal from the respective one of the pixel cells.