Abstract: A vertically stacked image sensor with HDR imaging functionality and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The image sensor comprises, a first substrate, a pixel array organized into a plurality of pixel subarrays, of which each pixel comprises a photoelectric element for integrating a photocharge during each one of a plurality of subframe exposures, a transfer gate and a buffered charge-voltage converter. A first charge accumulation element of the charge-voltage converter is operatively connectable to at least one second charge accumulation element through a gain switch. The image sensor comprises control circuitry configured to trigger a partial or a complete transfer of the and to time-interleave at least two rolling shutter control sequences. Separate readout blocks are provided on the second substrate for each pixel subarray, each comprising in a pipelined architecture an A/D conversion unit, a pixel memory logic and a pixel memory unit.

Abstract: A vertically stacked image sensor with HDR imaging functionality and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The image sensor comprises, a first substrate, a pixel array organized into a plurality of pixel subarrays, of which each pixel comprises a photoelectric element for integrating a photocharge during each one of a plurality of subframe exposures, a transfer gate and a buffered charge-voltage converter. A first charge accumulation element of the charge-voltage converter is operatively connectable to at least one second charge accumulation element through a gain switch. The image sensor comprises control circuitry configured to trigger a partial or a complete transfer of the and to time-interleave at least two rolling shutter control sequences. Separate readout blocks are provided on the second substrate for each pixel subarray, each comprising in a pipelined architecture an A/D conversion unit, a pixel memory logic and a pixel memory unit.