RANDOM ACCESS ADDRESSING ON ACTIVE PIXEL IMAGE SENSOR

摘要

An active pixel image sensor (45) comprises a pixel array (11) of active pixels that are capable of being random access addressed to provide pixel readout signals from the addressed pixels on N output lines (39), where N is a plural integer and M ADC lanes (29) capable of performing analog-to-digital conversion of pixel readout signals, where M is a plural integer less than N. A switching arrangement (28) is capable of selectively connecting output lines (39) to the MADC lanes (29). A control unit (40) provides random access addressing of the pixels, and in synchronisation therewith controls the switching arrangement (28) to connect the output lines (39) on which the addressed pixels provide pixel readout signals to ADC lanes (29).