Abstract: A successive approximation A/D converter which includes a sub ranging classifier that receives an input signal and classifies said input signal according to plural different highest resolution bits, to determine a range of the input signal, and creating a set of most significant bits based on said range, said subranging classifier also setting and determining an offset based on said range, and a successive approximation A/D converted that converting lowest resolution parts of the input signal as adjusted by the offset.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 20, 2012
Publication date:
March 20, 2014
Applicant:
FORZA SILICON CORPORATION
Inventors:
Steven Huang, Ramy Tantawy, Daniel Van Blerkom, Barmak Mansoorian
Abstract: An image sensor system using a circuit that automatically provides a multiple point output which represents, in a first mode, each of the multiple points receiving outputs at substantially the same time delayed only by a transit time across a wire connecting the multiple point outputs, and in a second mode, each of the multiple points producing outputs that are delayed by a delay time, where each output is delayed relative to each other output by said delay time in the second mode.
Abstract: A ramp generator circuit, e.g. foreign analog-to-digital converter. The ramp generator circuit has first and second current sources that are maintained in the on condition whether they are being used or not. A switched capacitor connects to the current source in order to create a multi-slope ramp.
Abstract: A circuit for an image sensor pixel receives photogenerated information from an image sensor, such as infrared sensor. The circuit includes a single ended operational amplifier, they can have a simple circuit such as for example 4 transistors. An additional transistor is used in the pixel to regulate the voltage that is used to drive the operational amplifier, to maintain that voltage relative to a bias level. This prevents voltage fluctuations, which would otherwise be passed to the pixel output.
Abstract: An image sensor pixel the conformist single pixel of a larger array. The image sensor pixel can be a large one, such as larger than 100 ?m. The image sensor pixel has readout notes on multiple sides thereof, e.g. on to work for sides, that are symmetrically located on the pixel. The readout notes are simultaneously read out to read out a part of the image from the pixel.
Abstract: An image sensor system has a first stitched image sensor part that has multiple image sensing pixels and pixel gates. The multiple pixel gates are connected together by a first line on the first stitched image sensor part, and said multiple pixel gates are controlled by a first control signal. A second stitched image sensor part also has multiple sensing pixels and pixel gates, and the multiple pixel gates are connected together by a second line on said second stitched image sensor part, and said multiple pixel gates on said second stitched image sensor part are controlled by the first control signal. A driver for the first control signal, wherein said driver includes a first part for controlling said multiple pixel gates of said first stitched image sensor part and said driver has a second part, also driven by the same first control signal, for controlling said multiple pixel gates of said second stitched image sensor part.
Abstract: An image sensor system has an input from a photosensor, receiving photogenerated electricity, and coupling said photogenerated electricity to a first photodiode to integrate the photogenerated electricity. The photodiode can be a pinned diode, configured to act integrate charge.
Abstract: An image sensor array that has a buffer amplifier, having a capacitor which receives photogenerated energy from a photodetector, and stores the photo generated energy in a capacitor of the buffer amplifier. Reset across the buffer amplifier which is sufficient to allow the amplifier to settle transiently prior to applying said clamp voltage.
Abstract: A system that has plural different photodetector circuits, each photodetector circuit including its own transfer gate, and each of the plural different photodetector circuits and transfer gates commonly connected to a first node. In amplifier is used which maintains a fixed voltage edits input. The amplifier Has a first capacitance to ground in a second capacitance as a feedback between its output and input. In one embodiment, there are 16 photodetector circuits connected to the single amplifier. In embodiments, the photodetector circuits can be located in one substrate while the amplifier is located in another substrate, and the amplifier also minimizes parasitics between the substrates.
Abstract: Calibrating of A/D converters is carried out by obtaining adjustable reference voltages which are used in in A/D conversion, comparing a first divided reference voltage of a full range voltage Vref, with a second divided reference voltage of Vref using analog to digital converters that are used in the A/D conversion; and adjusting at least one of said reference voltages to obtain a set ratio between said multiple ones of said reference voltages. The compared values can include a divided version of Vref, e.g., 3/8 Vref.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 1, 2013
Publication date:
December 19, 2013
Applicant:
FORZA SILICON CORPORATION
Inventors:
Christophe Basset, Loc Truong, Kevin Stevulak
Abstract: A stitched image sensor array on a semiconductor substrate with identical blocks that have wherein said first configuration includes enable inputs, which vary a function of the block depending on the connection to the enable inputs. The enable inputs can set an SRAM to receive different numbers of inputs.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 24, 2013
Publication date:
December 19, 2013
Applicant:
FORZA SILICON CORPORATION
Inventors:
Steven Huang, Christophe Ca Basset, Sam Bagwell, Jonathan Bergey, Loc Truong
Abstract: A switched capacitor sample and hold buffer that can be used, for example, in a CMOS image sensor. The switched capacitor sample and hold circuit has large output swings, low noise and reduced capacitor area compared to the traditional switched capacitor approach.
Abstract: An image sensor array that uses an over saturation sensor to detect when one of the pixels is being oversaturated. When that happens, the power supply to that pixel is prevented from affecting power supplies to the other pixels, by regulating the power supply to the pixel.
Abstract: A controlling console for moving elements such as trusses and winches. A console body has a display screen, and a processor which is programmed to produce an output screen on the display screen which accepts controls for controlling at least one movable device. The output screen includes a plurality of different logical blocks which are connected together. Values and conditions such as true, false, rising edge or error can be entered. The console arranges this into a flow arrangement.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 29, 2013
Publication date:
November 28, 2013
Applicant:
FORZA SILICON CORPORATION
Inventors:
Barmak Mansoorian, Steven Huang, Rami Tantawy
Abstract: A chip device with a number of individually powered parts, such as photoreceptors. A mesh is provided to provide power to the individual photoreceptors. The mesh may be provided for ground and power and/or both. The mesh may be on different layers, so that one portion of the mesh is exactly over the other portion of the mesh. The mesh takes up a portion of real estate on the chip in between the individual photoreceptors, in locations where image sensing parts cannot be located. In an embodiment, the mesh can be intentionally broken at various locations to optimize the path length.
Abstract: A dual slope A/D converter uses two opposite sense ramps added to its differential input. The value in a digital counter is latched at the time when the two ramps intersect. This enables a more consistent switching point, allowing the amplifier to the linear over a larger part of its range.