Abstract: An imaging system includes a pixel array with pixel circuits, each including a photodiode, a floating diffusion, a source follower transistor, and a row select transistor. The imaging system further includes rolling clamp (RC) drivers, each coupled to a gate terminal of a row select transistor of one of the pixel circuits and each including first and second PMOS transistors coupled between a clamp voltage and the gate terminal of the row select transistor of the one of the pixel circuits, and first, second, and third NMOS transistors coupled between the clamp voltage and the gate terminal of the row select transistor of the one of the pixel circuits. The PMOS transistors and the NMOS transistors are coupled in parallel. The PMOS transistors are configured to provide an upper clamp voltage range, and the NMOS transistors are configured to provide a lower clamp voltage range.

Abstract: A pixel control circuit includes a first supply rail coupled to provide a first supply voltage. A second supply rail is coupled to provide a second supply voltage. A variable resistance circuit is coupled to the second power supply rail. A plurality of driver circuits is coupled between the first supply rail and the variable resistance circuit. Each one of the plurality of driver circuits is coupled to provide a control signal coupled to control a pixel circuit. The variable resistance circuit is coupled to provide a first resistance between the plurality of driver circuits and the second supply rail during a sampling operation of the pixel circuit. The variable resistance circuit is coupled to provide a second resistance between the plurality of driver circuits and the second supply rail during a non-sampling operation of the pixel circuit.

Abstract: A method of implementing extended range successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) starts with a readout circuitry acquiring an image data from a row in a color pixel array. ADC circuitry in the readout circuitry then generates an ADC pedestal for the row. Successive Approximation Register (SAR) included in ADC circuitry then stores ADC pedestal. SAR includes a plurality of bits and an additional bit that is a duplicate of one of the plurality of bits. ADC circuitry samples the image data from the row against ADC pedestal stored in SAR to obtain a sampled input data. ADC circuitry then converts the sampled input data from analog to digital to obtain an ADC output value. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method of implementing extended range successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) starts with a readout circuitry acquiring an image data from a row in a color pixel array. ADC circuitry in the readout circuitry then generates an ADC pedestal for the row. Successive Approximation Register (SAR) included in ADC circuitry then stores ADC pedestal. SAR includes a plurality of bits and an additional bit that is a duplicate of one of the plurality of bits. ADC circuitry samples the image data from the row against ADC pedestal stored in SAR to obtain a sampled input data. ADC circuitry then converts the sampled input data from analog to digital to obtain an ADC output value. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A readout circuit (29) for reading active pixels in a sensor (10) having at least one sensor segment (11) each containing addressable pixels (12) includes a respective sample and hold unit (28) for sampling and holding an analog value associated with a corresponding pixel, and an analog multiplexer (35) in each segment having an addressable channel coupled to each sample and hold unit for carrying the corresponding held value of the respective pixel. A lookup table (38) stores addresses of predefined neighboring pixels associated with the respective pixel. An encoder (36) is responsive to one or more trigger signals for generating an address in the lookup table, and a controller (37) feeds the address to the lookup table and successively feeds the addresses of the predefined neighboring pixels output by the lookup table to the analog multiplexer.

Abstract: A readout circuit (29) for reading active pixels in a sensor (10) having at least one sensor segment (11) each containing addressable pixels (12) includes a respective sample and hold unit (28) for sampling and holding an analog value associated with a corresponding pixel, and an analog multiplexer (35) in each segment having an addressable channel coupled to each sample and hold unit for carrying the corresponding held value of the respective pixel. A lookup table (38) stores addresses of predefined neighboring pixels associated with the respective pixel. An encoder (36) is responsive to one or more trigger signals for generating an address in the lookup table, and a controller (37) feeds the address to the lookup table and successively feeds the addresses of the predefined neighboring pixels output by the lookup table to the analog multiplexer.