Quarter Video Graphics Array Full-Digital Image Sensing with Wide Dynamic Range and Linear Output Using Pixel-Wise 3D Integration

Masahide Goto, Yuki Honda, Toshihisa Watabe, Kei Hagiwara, Masakazu Nanba, Yoshinori Iguchi, Takuya Saraya, Masaharu Kobayashi, Eiji Higurashi, Hiroshi Toshiyoshi, Toshiro Hiramoto

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We have developed a quarter video graphics array (QVGA) chip for full-digital image sensing by using three-dimensional (3D) integration technology. In-pixel pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) gives full-digital imaging pixel, which is known to overcome signal saturation due to the full well capacity of a photodiode (PD). We have also newly designed a PFM-ADC for pixels with a pinned PD and a floating diffusion to achieve high sensitivity and low noise. PDs and ADCs were stacked into two layers by pixel-wise 3D integration with gold electrodes of 5 μm in diameter, thereby enabling QVGA resolution for a 20-mm square chip in 0.18-μm and 0.2-μm process nodes. The developed sensor chip exhibited an excellent linearity and wide dynamic range of more than 96 dB. We also obtained video images with a high bit depth of 16 bit, demonstrating the superior image sensing that can capture the real world at high fidelity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, ISCAS 2018 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781538648810
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Apr 26
Externally publishedYes
Event2018 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, ISCAS 2018 - Florence, Italy
Duration: 2018 May 272018 May 30

Publication series

NameProceedings - IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems
Volume2018-May
ISSN (Print)0271-4310

Other

Other2018 IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems, ISCAS 2018
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityFlorence
Period18/5/2718/5/30

Keywords

  • analog-to-digital converter
  • dynamic range
  • image sensor
  • pulse
  • three-dimensional integration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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