Abstract: High vertical resolution can be obtained in a charge-coupled device (CCD) imager of the field transfer type by integrating charge in the A register in storage potential wells separated by potential barriers, with no empty potential wells separating the storage wells. Transfer of the integrated charge from the A to the B register at a speed which meets commercial television standards is obtained by employing a new type of multiple-phase clocking. Starting with the first row of charges S.sub.j =S.sub.1, the clock pulses successively separate each row of charges S.sub.j from the following row S.sub.j+1 by a space for a potential well and a potential barrier, and in synchronism with each such separation, the clock pulses shift the rows S.sub.j-1, S.sub.j-2. . . , if any, which previously have been separated, in unison, all by one row position. Then, after the first row of charges S.sub.

Abstract: The circuits include a floating diffusion, a source supplying a controllable amount of charge to the floating diffusion and a charge coupled device (CCD) reference register for periodically removing a fixed amount of charge from the floating diffusion. A feedback circuit senses the average voltage at the floating diffusion and adjusts the controllable amount of charge supplied to the diffusion to maintain its average voltage level constant. The feedback circuit may be employed automatically to control the direct voltage bias at the input electrode of a DDC signal register. It may alternatively be employed to control a radiation source serving as the input to the system, or to operate a circuit for indicating the frequency at which the reference CCD register is being driven, or as an input to a current mirror amplifier.

Abstract: Each time a charge signal is shifted, it suffers a small transfer loss. In the charge transfer systems of interest here, that transfer loss charge combines with previous transfer loss charges to form a transfer loss sum charge packet which propagates behind the charge signal. In the present system each charge signal is restored to substantially its initial level, by combining the transfer loss sum charge packet for that charge signal with that charge signal once each n charge transfers, where n is a relatively large number such as 50 or more.