Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits corresponding to rows and columns of pixels, a plurality of amplifiers that buffer signals output by the array of pixel circuits, and a plurality of sample and hold circuits that read the buffered signals. A routing mechanism is positioned between the array of pixel circuits and the plurality of amplifiers.

Abstract: An image sensor including a substrate, at least one metal layer, and a plurality of pixels arranged in array. Each pixel includes a sense element disposed in the substrate and at least one metal interconnect segment disposed in the at least one metal layer. The array includes a pair of perpendicular axes extending from an optical center, wherein for a line of pixels extending perpendicularly from one of the axes to a peripheral edge of the array a spacing between the sense elements of consecutive pairs of pixels of the line is at least equal to a spacing between the associated at least one metal interconnect segments, and wherein for at least one consecutive pair of pixels of the line the spacing between the sense elements is greater by an incremental amount than the spacing between the corresponding at least one metal interconnect segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods of imaging with clustered photosite arrays are described. In one aspect, an image sensor includes an array of clusters of photosites and an array of optical elements. The photosites are arranged in respective groups of multiple ones of the photosites sharing at least one readout circuit component. Each of the optical elements is aligned with a corresponding one of the clusters of photosites and is arranged to intercept light directed toward the photosites of the corresponding cluster.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor array sampling system includes a plurality of video circuits and reset circuits. A video circuit generates a video voltage from each one of the pixels of a column of pixels. An associated reset circuit generates a reset voltage for each of the pixels of a column of pixels. The video circuits and the reset circuits are closed loop sample and hold circuits. The active pixel sensor array is integrated on an integrated circuit.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor array sampling system provides a differential voltage based upon a sampled video voltage and a sampled reference voltage for each pixel of the array. The system includes a reference and a video circuit for each column of pixels. The video circuits sample all of the column pixel video voltages of each row of pixels together in parallel. The column video voltages of each row of pixels are serially read. The reference amplifier samples and provides a reference voltage as each video voltage is read from the video circuits.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a silicon substrate having a photodiode that converts light intensity into a voltage signal and two metal layers disposed on the substrate having a pixel control circuit. The first metal layer includes a row trace and a reset trace and the second metal layer includes a column trace and a voltage supply trace. The row trace carries a signal that activates a switch for coupling the photodiode to the column trace during a readout phase and clears the voltage at the photodiode during a reset phase. The column trace interfaces with a signal capture circuit in a CMOS array of pixels for capturing a digital image that corresponds to each voltage level at each photodiode.