Abstract: An image sensor with an array of pixels is provided. In order to determine failure of transient signal generation circuitry within the image sensor, monitoring circuitry may be used to capture and adjust transient signals as the signals are being transmitted. The transient signals may be voltage booster signals that are generated by booster circuitry to adjust row control signal levels to be below the ground reference voltage or above the supply reference voltage before providing them to the array of image sensor pixels. The captured and adjusted transient signals may be multiplexed and transmitted through a common buffer circuit. The method of shifting/adjusting the captured voltages may also apply to static signals. The multiplexed adjusted signals may be converted from digital signals to analog signals with digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. The digitized signals may be transmitted to host circuitry for processing which may include pass/fail testing.

Abstract: An image sensor with an array of pixels is provided. In order to determine failure of transient signal generation circuitry within the image sensor, monitoring circuitry may be used to capture and adjust transient signals as the signals are being transmitted. The transient signals may be voltage booster signals that are generated by booster circuitry to adjust row control signal levels to be below the ground reference voltage or above the supply reference voltage before providing them to the array of image sensor pixels. The captured and adjusted transient signals may be multiplexed and transmitted through a common buffer circuit. The method of shifting/adjusting the captured voltages may also apply to static signals. The multiplexed adjusted signals may be converted from digital signals to analog signals with digital-to-analog conversion circuitry. The digitized signals may be transmitted to host circuitry for processing which may include pass/fail testing.

Abstract: An imager with error verification capabilities may include an array of pixels and an array of error detection circuits. The array of pixels may receive control signals that control the array of pixels to produce image pixel signals. The error detection circuits may receive the control signals and produce error detection signals. The image pixels and error detection signals may be conveyed over a readout path to image processing circuitry such as an external digital signal processor for detecting control signal errors. Each error detection circuit may be a modified copy of a corresponding pixel in the pixel array or may be a read only memory element. The array of error detection circuits may produce unique values that may be compared to expected values to detect whether correct control signals are provided to the pixel array for a given mode of operation.

Abstract: An imager with error verification capabilities may include an array of pixels and an array of error detection circuits. The array of pixels may receive control signals that control the array of pixels to produce image pixel signals. The error detection circuits may receive the control signals and produce error detection signals. The image pixels and error detection signals may be conveyed over a readout path to image processing circuitry such as an external digital signal processor for detecting control signal errors. Each error detection circuit may be a modified copy of a corresponding pixel in the pixel array or may be a read only memory element. The array of error detection circuits may produce unique values that may be compared to expected values to detect whether correct control signals are provided to the pixel array for a given mode of operation.