Abstract:
An image sensor includes a pixel array and an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion unit. The pixel array generates an analog signal by sensing an incident light. The A/D conversion unit generates a digital signal in a first operation mode by performing a sigma-delta A/D conversion and a cyclic A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal and generates the digital signal in a second operation mode by performing a single-slope A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal. The image sensor provides a high-quality image in a still image photography mode and a dynamic image video mode.
Abstract:
A method of binning pixels in an image sensor including: dividing a pixel array into a plurality of binning areas, wherein each binning area includes (2n)*(2n) pixels, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than two; and generating binning pixel data in each of the binning areas, wherein the locations of the binning pixel data of each binning area are evenly distributed within the binning area.
Abstract:
An image sensor includes a pixel array and an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion unit. The pixel array generates an analog signal by sensing an incident light. The A/D conversion unit generates a digital signal in a first operation mode by performing a sigma-delta A/D conversion and a cyclic A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal and generates the digital signal in a second operation mode by performing a single-slope A/D conversion with respect to the analog signal. The image sensor provides a high-quality image in a still image photography mode and a dynamic image video mode.
Abstract:
A correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit included in an image sensor includes a sampling unit and a timing controlled band-limitation (TCBL) unit. The sampling unit is configured to generate an output signal by performing a CDS operation with respect to a reset component of an input signal and an image component of the input signal based on a ramp signal, the input signal being provided from a pixel array included in the image sensor. The TCBL unit is connected to the sampling unit, and is configured to remove noise from the output signal based on a timing control signal. The timing control signal is activated during a first comparison duration, in which a first comparison operation is performed with respect to the ramp signal and the reset component of the input signal, and during a second comparison duration, in which a second comparison operation is performed with respect to the ramp signal and the image component of the input signal.
Abstract:
In a method of obtaining a wide dynamic range (WDR) image, a first subframe image having pixel data obtained with a first exposure time is generated by performing a first readout operation of a plurality of pixels of an image sensor. A second subframe image having pixel data obtained with a second exposure time and a third exposure time is generated by performing a second readout operation of the plurality of pixels. The first exposure time, the second exposure time and the third exposure time are different from one another. A current frame image having pixel data obtained from pixel exposures with the first exposure time, the second exposure time and the third exposure time is generated by combining the first subframe image with the second subframe image.
Abstract:
In a method of obtaining a wide dynamic range (WDR) image, a first subframe image having pixel data obtained with a first exposure time is generated by performing a first readout operation of a plurality of pixels of an image sensor. A second subframe image having pixel data obtained with a second exposure time and a third exposure time is generated by performing a second readout operation of the plurality of pixels. The first exposure time, the second exposure time and the third exposure time are different from one another. A current frame image having pixel data obtained from pixel exposures with the first exposure time, the second exposure time and the third exposure time is generated by combining the first subframe image with the second subframe image.