SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SHIFTABLE COLUMN CIRCUITRY OF IMAGER PIXEL ARRAYS

摘要

This is generally directed to systems and methods for providing shiftable column circuitry for a pixel array of an imaging system. Columns of a pixel array can be switchably coupled (e.g., through multiplexers) to their default column circuitry as well as coupled to one or more instances of a neighboring column's column circuitry. In response to an instance of default column circuitry being identified as defective, its corresponding column may “shift” and choose to couple to the neighboring column circuitry. Similarly, all following columns may also shift and couple to a neighboring column circuitry. In some embodiments, the defective column circuitry can be identified during wafer testing and identifying information (e.g., an address) of the defective column circuitry stored in memory. The identifying information may then be accessed from memory and, during an image signal readout phase, used to suitably shift the columns to avoid the defective column circuitry.

主权项

1. An imaging system comprising:
a pixel array including a plurality of pixel cells arranged in a plurality of columns; a plurality of column circuitry including a plurality of default column circuitry, wherein each column of the plurality of columns is associated with a different default column circuitry of the plurality of default column circuitry; a plurality of multiplexers, wherein each multiplexer is operable to switchably couples a different column of the plurality of columns to one of:
the default column circuitry associated with that different column; andat least one other column circuitry of the plurality of column circuitry that is physically adjacent to that different column; a memory operable to store identifying information of at least one defective instance of default column circuitry; and a processor operable to:
access the identifying information; andinstruct, based on the identifying information, a multiplexer switchably coupled to the at least one defective instance and any following multiplexers to couple to the at least one other column circuitry.