CMOS active image sensor with common pixel transistors and binning capability

摘要

A lock in pinned photodiode photodetector includes a plurality of output ports which are sequentially enabled. Each time when the output port is enabled is considered to be a different bin of time. A specified pattern is sent, and the output bins are investigated to look for that pattern. The time when the pattern is received indicates the time of flight A CMOS active pixel image sensor includes a plurality of pinned photodiode photodetectors that use a common output transistor. In one configuration, the charge from two or more pinned photodiodes may be binned together and applied to the gate of an output transistor.