• 센서학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.223-228
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• 2021

This work presents a low-power CMOS image sensor (CIS) with a multi-column-parallel (MCP) readout structure while focusing on improving its performance compared to previous works. A delta readout scheme that utilizes the image characteristics is optimized for the MCP readout structure. By simply alternating the MCP readout direction for each row selection, additional memory for the row-to-row delta readout is not required, resulting in a reduced area of occupation compared to the previous work. In addition, the bias current of a pre-amplifier in a successive approximate register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) changes according to the operating period to improve the power efficiency. The prototype CIS chip was fabricated using a 0.18-㎛ CMOS process. A 160 × 120 pixel array with 4.4 ㎛ pitch was implemented with a 10-bit SAR ADC. The prototype CIS demonstrated a frame rate of 120 fps with a total power consumption of 1.92 mW.

• 전기전자학회논문지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.942-949
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• 2020

본 논문에서는 column-parallel readout 회로에 적합하도록 개선된 CMOS 이미지 센서용 algorithmic ADC를 제안한다. 커패시터의 비율과 무관하고 연산 증폭기의 이득에 둔감하면서 증폭기 하나로 동작 할 수 있도록 기존 algorithmic ADC를 수정하고 적응형 바이어싱을 적용한 증폭기를 사용하여 높은 변환효율을 갖도록 하였다. 제안하는 ADC는 0.18-㎛ 매그나칩 CMOS 공정으로 설계되었으며, Spectre 시뮬레이션을 통해 기존 algorithmic ADC에 비해 변환속도당 전력소모가 37% 줄어 들었음을 확인하였다.

• 센서학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.85-90
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• 2017

A wide dynamic range (WDR) CMOS image sensor (CIS) was developed with a specialized readout architecture for realizing high-sensitivity (HS) and low-sensitivity (LS) reading modes. The proposed pixel is basically a three-transistor (3T) active pixel sensor (APS) structure with an additional transistor. In the developed WDR CIS, only one mode between the HS mode for relatively weak light intensity and the LS mode for the strong light intensity is activated by an external controlling signal, and then the selected signal is read through each column-parallel readout circuit. The LS mode is implemented with the column capacitors and a feedback structure for adjusting column capacitor size. In particular, the feedback circuit makes it possible to change the column node capacitance automatically by using the incident light intensity. As a result, the proposed CIS achieved a wide dynamic range of 94 dB by synthesizing output signals from both modes. The prototype CIS is implemented with $0.18-{\mu}m$ 1-poly 6-metal (1P6M) standard CMOS technology, and the number of effective pixels is 176 (H) ${\times}$ 144 (V).

• 센서학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.362-367
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• 2018

A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) binary image sensor is proposed for low-power and low-noise operation. The proposed binary image sensor has the advantages of reduced power consumption and fixed pattern noise (FPN). A gate/body-tied (GBT) p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (PMOSFET)-type photodetector is used as the proposed CMOS binary image sensor. The GBT PMOSFET-type photodetector has a floating gate that amplifies the photocurrent generated by incident light. Therefore, the sensitivity of the GBT PMOSFET-type photodetector is higher than that of other photodetectors. The proposed CMOS binary image sensor consists of a pixel array with $394(H){\times}250(V)$ pixels, scanners, bias circuits, and column parallel readout circuits for binary image processing. The proposed CMOS binary image sensor was analyzed by simulation. Using the dynamic comparator, a power consumption reduction of approximately 99.7% was achieved, and this performance was verified by the simulation by comparing the results with those of a two-stage comparator. Also, it was confirmed using simulation that the FPN of the proposed CMOS binary image sensor was successfully reduced by use of the double sampling process.