IMAGE SENSOR WITH RAPID READ CYCLE

摘要

The invention relates to an image sensor comprising an image sensor matrix having N lines and K columns of image points and a read out register (RL) which is disposed at the free end of the K columns. In order to improve the matrix read speed, the invention consists in continuing the horizontal transfer (switching of phases phiL1, phiL2) into the read out register even while the vertical offset signals continue from one line to the next, without continuing the horizontal transfer during the opening of the transfer port (TR) between columns and horizontal register. In this way, the time taken to empty the horizontal read register encroaches on the time reserved for each vertical transfer step, instead of said times being added. The time gain is repeated on each line and said gain increases as the number of lines increases. The invention also comprises means which are provided in order to limit the influence of the column transfer switches on the reading of the output charges from the read out register.