초록 ▼

An extended dynamic range imager. An array of pixels provides an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period. A row of extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuits having an XDR sample and hold circuit for each column of th

An extended dynamic range imager. An array of pixels provides an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period. A row of extended dynamic range (XDR) sample and hold circuits having an XDR sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures an XDR signal related to a difference between the output signal and an XDR clamp level to which the pixel is reset at a predetermined time before the end of the integration period. A row of linear sample and hold circuits having a linear sample and hold circuit for each column of the array captures a linear signal related to a difference between the output signal and an initial output signal to which the pixel is reset at the beginning of the integration period.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An extended dynamic range (XDR) imager, comprising:an array of pixels for providing an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period; circuitry that resets the pixels in a selected row of the array to an initial output signal value

1. An extended dynamic range (XDR) imager, comprising:an array of pixels for providing an output signal for each pixel related to an amount of light captured for each pixel during an integration period; circuitry that resets the pixels in a selected row of the array to an initial output signal value before the integration period begins and that applies an XDR clamp level signal to the pixels in a selected row of the array of pixels at a predetermined time before the integration period ends; a row of sample and hold circuits having a sample and hold circuit for each column of the array for capturing, during a first time interval, an XDR signal for each column of the selected row that is related to a difference between the output signal and the XDR clamp level signal, and for capturing, during a second time interval distinct from the first time interval, a linear signal for each column of the selected row, the linear signal being related to a difference between the initial output signal and the greater of the output signal and the XDR clamp level signal.