CMOS sensor array with a memory interface

摘要

An image sensor (100) includes a sensor or a pixel array (102), a data memory (110), and a logic circuit (114), all fabricated on the same integrated chip. The sensor or pixel array (102) outputs digital signals as pixel data representing an image of a scene. The data memory (110) is coupled to the sensor or pixel array (102) for storing the pixel data. The logic circuit (114) is coupled to the data memory (110) and provides a memory interface (22b) for exporting the pixel data. The memory interface (22b) can be one of a SRAM, a DRAM or a packet protocol synchronous DRAM interface. Including a memory interface (22b) in the image sensor (100) allows the image sensor (100) to be coupled directly to the memory interface port of an external image processing unit (20). The image processing unit (20) can access the image sensor (100) using conventional memory access protocols, thus improving the efficiency and reducing the operational complexity of the image processing unit (20). <IMAGE>