-
公开(公告)号：US20230181133A1
公开(公告)日：2023-06-15
申请号：US17550856
申请日：2021-12-14
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Stanley K. Searing , Marc K. Thacher , Kwang Bo Cho , Hung T. Do , Stephen W. Mims , Bruce E. Willy , Glen L. Collier , Douglas W. Teeter , George Y. Wang
Abstract: Techniques are provided for x-ray sensing for intraoral tomography. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes detecting an x-ray pulse based on energy received at one or more pixels of a pixel array. The method also includes integrating the energy received at each of the pixels of the array of pixels, in response to the detection, wherein the energy received at each of the pixels is associated with the x-ray pulse. The method further includes multiplexing readouts of analog signals from the array of pixels into two or more parallel channels. The method further includes simultaneously converting (or otherwise in parallel) the analog signals of each of the channels into digital signals and storing the digital signals in memory as frames of data. The method may further include, for example, transmitting the frames of data from the memory, over a Universal Serial Bus, to an imaging system.
-
公开(公告)号：US20230181134A1
公开(公告)日：2023-06-15
申请号：US17644201
申请日：2021-12-14
Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS IMAGING SOLUTIONS INC.
Inventor： Stanley K. Searing , Kwang Bo Cho , Hung T. Do , Stephen W. Mims , Marc K. Thacher , Bruce E. Willy , Glen L. Collier , Douglas W. Teeter , George Y. Wang
CPC classification number: A61B6/145 , G06T7/0012 , A61B6/5258 , G01T1/17 , A61B6/56 , A61B6/54 , A61B6/4233 , G06T2207/30168 , G06T2207/30036 , G06T2207/10116
Abstract: Techniques are provided for x-ray image data monitoring and signaling for patient safety. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes integrating energy associated with a received x-ray pulse at an array of pixels. The method also includes multiplexing a readout of the integrated energy from the array of pixels, as analog signals, into channels, and performing analog to digital conversion of the analog signals of the channels into digital signals. The method further includes generating an error indicator in response to determining that a calculated mean of the digital signals is either greater than an upper threshold value associated with saturation or less than a lower threshold value associated with underexposure. The method further includes transmitting the error indicator over a Universal Serial Bus, to an imaging system, to terminate transmission of further x-ray pulses.
-
公开(公告)号：US10200644B2
公开(公告)日：2019-02-05
申请号：US15552426
申请日：2016-12-19
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Paul G. Lim , Stephen W. Mims
IPC: H04N3/14 , H04N5/335 , H04N5/3745 , H04N5/351 , H04N5/355 , H04N5/361 , H04N5/353 , H04N5/359 , H04N5/378
Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixel sensors connected to a bit line is disclosed. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector having a photodiode, a floating diffusion node, and an amplifier. The floating diffusion node is characterized by a parasitic photodiode and parasitic capacitance. The amplifier amplifies a voltage on the floating diffusion node to produce a signal on an amplifier output. The first photodetector also includes a bit line gate that connects the amplifier output to the bit line in response to a row select signal and a voltage dividing capacitor having a first terminal connected to the floating diffusion node and a second terminal connected to a drive source that switches a voltage on the second terminal between a drive potential different from ground and ground in response to a drive control signal.
-
公开(公告)号：US20170241835A1
公开(公告)日：2017-08-24
申请号：US15050666
申请日：2016-02-23
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Alberto M. Magnani , R. Daniel McGrath
IPC: G01J1/42 , H01L27/146
CPC classification number: G01J1/4228 , G01J1/46 , H01L27/14603 , H01L27/1461 , H01L27/14614 , H01L27/14636 , H01L27/14641 , H01L27/14643 , H04N5/35545 , H04N5/35563 , H04N5/3592 , H04N5/37457
Abstract: A pixel comprises a high-response photodiode that collects photocharge, a first transfer gate that enables the charge to be transferred off the high-response photodiode, completely emptying it onto a low-response photodiode, a second transfer gate enables the charge to be transferred off the low-response photodiode, completely emptying it onto floating diffusion, a third transfer gate for anti-blooming; the floating diffusion collects the transferred charge creating a change of voltage, a means of resetting the floating diffusion. A source-follower is modulated by the voltage on floating diffusion to control bit-line voltage and column-amplifier output. In examples, photocharge is integrated onto both the high-response photodiode and onto the low-response photodiode. The column readout circuit consists of a column amplifier that uses capacitors to set the amplifier gain, three sampling capacitors used as analog memory and for correlated double sampling, and a comparator that assists in providing the final output.
-
公开(公告)号：US11089244B2
公开(公告)日：2021-08-10
申请号：US16708111
申请日：2019-12-09
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Chenguang Gong , Paul G. Lim , Alberto M. Magnani
IPC: H04N5/355 , H01L27/146 , H04N5/378 , H04N5/3745
Abstract: An imaging array and a pixel sensor are disclosed. One of the pixel sensors in the imaging array includes a photodiode having a cathode connected to an electron storage node and an anode connected to a hole storage node. An overflow path connects the electron storage node via an overflow gate that allows electrons to leak off of the electron storage node into the overflow path if the electron storage node has a potential less than a leakage potential. A floating diffusion node is connected to the electron storage node by a transfer gate and the overflow path by an overflow path gate. A hole storage node reset gate connects the hole storage node to ground. A hole storage capacitor is connected between the hole storage node and ground, and an overflow path coupling capacitor connects the hole storage node to the overflow path.
-
公开(公告)号：US10484618B1
公开(公告)日：2019-11-19
申请号：US16169895
申请日：2018-10-24
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Chenguang Gong , Paul G. Lim , Alberto M. Magnani
Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixel sensors connected to a bit line is disclosed. Each pixel sensor includes a capacitive overflow pixel sensor characterized by an overflow capacitor having a switching terminal, and a floating diffusion node, a buffer amplifier that connects the floating diffusion node to a bit line in response to row select signal, and a switch that connects the switching terminal to either ground or a boost voltage. The imaging array also includes a switch controller that controls the switch and is connected to the bit line, the switch controller determining a voltage on the bit line, the switch controller connecting the switching terminal to the boost voltage during an exposure of the pixel sensor to light and to either ground or the boost voltage during a readout of charge stored on the overflow capacitor depending on the voltage on the bit line.
-
公开(公告)号：US20190335130A1
公开(公告)日：2019-10-31
申请号：US16476911
申请日：2017-01-25
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Chenguang Gong , Alberto M. Magnani
IPC: H04N5/3745 , H04N5/369 , H04N5/353
Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same that are adapted for backside illuminated imaging arrays utilizing a global shutter are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of pixel sensors having an ordered array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode and a correction photodiode. A controller resets all of the main photodiodes at a first time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors, resets all of the correction photodiodes at a second time that is the same for all of the pixel sensors after the first time, and sequentially reads out the pixel sensors. The pixel sensor is read out at a third time that is different for different ones of the pixel sensors. A correction charge is measured that corrects for the different readout times.
-
公开(公告)号：US20180332247A1
公开(公告)日：2018-11-15
申请号：US15552426
申请日：2016-12-19
Applicant: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
Inventor： Hung T. Do , Paul G. Lim , Stephen W. Mims
IPC: H04N5/3745 , H04N5/378 , H04N5/359 , H04N5/353
CPC classification number: H04N5/3745 , H04N5/351 , H04N5/353 , H04N5/3559 , H04N5/359 , H04N5/361 , H04N5/37452 , H04N5/378
Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixel sensors connected to a bit line is disclosed. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector having a photodiode, a floating diffusion node, and an amplifier. The floating diffusion node is characterized by a parasitic photodiode and parasitic capacitance. The amplifier amplifies a voltage on the floating diffusion node to produce a signal on an amplifier output. The first photodetector also includes a bit line gate that connects the amplifier output to the bit line in response to a row select signal and a voltage dividing capacitor having a first terminal connected to the floating diffusion node and a second terminal connected to a drive source that switches a voltage on the second terminal between a drive potential different from ground and ground in response to a drive control signal.
-
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：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.
