Multi-purpose architecture for CCD image sensors

摘要

A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor includes multiple vertical charge-coupled device (VCCD) shift registers and independently-controllable gate electrodes disposed over the VCCD shift registers and arranged into physically separate and distinct sections that are non-continuous across the plurality of VCCD shift registers. The CCD image sensor can be configured to operate in two or more operating modes, including a full resolution charge multiplication mode.

主权项

1. An image sensor comprising:
a plurality of vertical charge-coupled device (VCCD) shift registers extending longitudinally along a direction of charge transfer; and a plurality of independently-controllable gate electrodes disposed over the VCCD shift registers and arranged into physically separate and distinct sections, the physically separate and distinct sections being separated by a physical gap in the gate electrodes extending vertically between each of the electrodes of one section and each of the electrodes of the other section the sections to electrically isolate the gate electrodes of one section from the gate electrodes of the other section; and wherein the physical gap extends longitudinally along the direction of charge transfer and across the pixel array.