MULTI-MODE DIGITAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

摘要

The present invention provides digital imaging architectures comprising detectors coupled to readout circuitry, wherein the readout circuitry functions in particular modes, the use of which can depend on characteristic s of the input signals transferred to the readout circuitry from the detectors , or can depend on the characteristics of the output signal required from the readout circuitry. For example, when the input signal has a particular magnitude the readout circuitry can function in a first mode in which the input signal can be amplified to a measurable level, and when the input sign al has another magnitude, the readout circuitry can function in an alternate mo de in which the input signal can be read out with a different or no amplification. Multiple modes can be implemented to provide various levels o f amplification to the input signal, for example, three or more modes of operation of the readout circuitry can be implemented. Furthermore, more tha n one mode can be used to read out the same input signal. Thus the digital imaging apparatus and system of the present invention can provide a large dynamic range of detection that can be capable of amplifying sensitive input signals from a detector to improve the noise immunity of the input signals t o external noise sources as well as capable of reading larger signals with little or no amplification, both with a fast pixel readout time. The present invention also provides a means of further increasing the dynamic range of detection by implementing a current subtraction circuit in the readout circuitry. This current subtraction circuit can be used to reduce the total amount of current flowing through parts of the readout circuitry which can saturate, for example, when a large charge gain is used. Reducing the total output current can result in an increase in the dynamic range of the apparat us by allowing smaller input signals to be detected due to greater amplificatio n of the input signals, while reducing the likelihood of saturation within the readout circuitry.