公开(公告)号：US20240223920A1

公开(公告)日：2024-07-04

申请号：US18147903

申请日：2022-12-29

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Hung T. Do ,  Khai Nguyen ,  Alexander Lu ,  Stephen W. Mims ,  Kwang Bo Cho ,  Angel Rogelio Lopez

IPC: H04N25/78

CPC classification number: H04N25/78

Abstract: Examples include column readout amplifiers and image sensors including same. In one example, a column readout amplifier includes a signal amplifier having an amplifier output and first and second amplifier inputs, a filter capacitor having first and second terminals, the second terminal connected to a ground terminal, a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier input and a buffer amplifier output, a switching network configured to switchably connect the amplifier output to the buffer amplifier input and the buffer amplifier output to the first terminal of the filter capacitor during a first time period, and to switchably connect the amplifier output directly to the first terminal of the filter capacitor during a second time period, and a low-pass filter connected in a feedback path of the signal amplifier between the amplifier output and the first amplifier input, the low-pass filter including a series resistor and a capacitor.

公开(公告)号：US20200335538A1

公开(公告)日：2020-10-22

申请号：US16389789

申请日：2019-04-19

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Hung T. Do ,  Chenguang Gong ,  Stephen W. Mims ,  Khai Nguyen

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/357

Abstract: A pixel sensor, an imaging array that includes such pixel sensors, and a method for operating an imaging array are disclosed. The pixel sensor includes a transfer gate that connects a photodiode to a floating diffusion node in response to a transfer signal, a reset circuit, and a controller. The reset circuit is adapted to apply either a first potential or a second potential to the floating diffusion node, the second potential being less than the first potential. The controller is configured to cause the reset circuit to apply the first potential to the floating diffusion node while the transfer gate is conducting just prior to a start of an accumulation phase, and then apply the second potential to the floating diffusion node after the transfer gate is rendered non-conducting, the second potential is less than the first potential.

公开(公告)号：US10742219B1

公开(公告)日：2020-08-11

申请号：US16400019

申请日：2019-04-30

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Khai Nguyen ,  Andrew C. Ng

IPC: H03K21/02 ,  H03K3/037 ,  G06F1/06 ,  G06F1/10 ,  H03K19/20

Abstract: A frequency divider includes a circuit that receives an input clock signal having a period T on an input port thereof and generates an output clock signal on an output port thereof having a period MT in response to a control signal specifying M is disclosed. Here, M is a positive integer and all transitions between logical one and logical zero in the output clock signal occur at integer multiples of T. In one embodiment, the circuit includes a module string having characterized by N identical modules connected in series to form a string of modules. Each module is configured such that when the clock signal having period T is input to the first module, the output clock signal having a period of MT is output from the last module, where M can have any value between one and a maximum number that depends on N.

公开(公告)号：US10469781B1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-05

申请号：US16212325

申请日：2018-12-06

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Khai Nguyen ,  Peter Bartkovjak

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A power distribution network is disclosed. The power distribution can be applied to imaging arrays and other circuits that include a large number of conductors that must be driven such that the conductors are biased such that substantially the same current flows in each conductor. The power distribution network includes a plurality of bit lines and a first power connection network. Each bit line is connected to a different location on a first power bus, which is divided into a plurality of first conducting segments. Each first conducting segment is connected to a plurality of the bit lines. Each bit line includes a constant current source that causes a bias current to flow in the bit line and through the first power bus. The first power connection network includes a plurality of conducting paths that connect a corresponding one of the first conducting segments to a first power rail.

公开(公告)号：US12126928B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-22

申请号：US18147903

申请日：2022-12-29

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Hung T. Do ,  Khai Nguyen ,  Alexander Lu ,  Stephen W. Mims ,  Kwang Bo Cho ,  Angel Rogelio Lopez

IPC: H04N25/78

CPC classification number: H04N25/78

Abstract: Examples include column readout amplifiers and image sensors including same. In one example, a column readout amplifier includes a signal amplifier having an amplifier output and first and second amplifier inputs, a filter capacitor having first and second terminals, the second terminal connected to a ground terminal, a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier input and a buffer amplifier output, a switching network configured to switchably connect the amplifier output to the buffer amplifier input and the buffer amplifier output to the first terminal of the filter capacitor during a first time period, and to switchably connect the amplifier output directly to the first terminal of the filter capacitor during a second time period, and a low-pass filter connected in a feedback path of the signal amplifier between the amplifier output and the first amplifier input, the low-pass filter including a series resistor and a capacitor.

公开(公告)号：US20240196115A1

公开(公告)日：2024-06-13

申请号：US18063885

申请日：2022-12-09

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Hung Trong Do ,  Khai Nguyen ,  Stephen W. Mims ,  Alexander Lu ,  Kwang Bo Cho ,  Angel Rogelio Lopez

IPC: H04N25/768 ,  H03F3/45 ,  H04N25/78

CPC classification number: H04N25/768 ,  H03F3/45269 ,  H04N25/78

Abstract: Examples include an image sensor comprising a pixel array having at least one column of addressable pixel sensors, and a column amplifier coupled to the at least one column of addressable pixel sensors, the column amplifier comprising a transistor bank including a plurality of transistors, and mode select circuitry coupled to the transistor bank and configured to establish one or more connections among the plurality of transistors to configure the column amplifier to operate in one of a differential mode of operation and a single-ended mode of operation.

公开(公告)号：US11107847B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-31

申请号：US16389789

申请日：2019-04-19

Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.

Inventor： Hung T. Do ,  Chenguang Gong ,  Stephen W. Mims ,  Khai Nguyen

IPC: H04N5/357 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N1/00 ,  H04N3/14

Abstract: A pixel sensor, an imaging array that includes such pixel sensors, and a method for operating an imaging array are disclosed. The pixel sensor includes a transfer gate that connects a photodiode to a floating diffusion node in response to a transfer signal, a reset circuit, and a controller. The reset circuit is adapted to apply either a first potential or a second potential to the floating diffusion node, the second potential being less than the first potential. The controller is configured to cause the reset circuit to apply the first potential to the floating diffusion node while the transfer gate is conducting just prior to a start of an accumulation phase, and then apply the second potential to the floating diffusion node after the transfer gate is rendered non-conducting, the second potential is less than the first potential.