Abstract: A circuit includes a first capacitance array formed by n nominally equal capacitive elements. A first electrode of each capacitive element is coupled, via respective switches to either a reference voltage or ground. A differential amplifier has a first input coupled to an output of a first capacitance array, a second input grounded, and an output generating a voltage ramp. A capacitive feedback circuit couples the output of the differential amplifier to the first input. A second capacitance array has an output coupled to the first input of the differential amplifier. The capacitive elements of the first capacitance array are organized in sets. The circuit operates by controllably coupling, set by set, second electrodes of the capacitive elements of the first capacitance array to the first input of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: A pixel includes a photodiode, a supply input, an output and a reading node. A system for reading a charge contained in the photodiode of the pixel includes a biasing circuit configured to bias the output of the pixel. The output of the pixel is connected through a first switch to the biasing circuit. The supply input of the pixel is connected to an energy storage capacitor and to a first end of a second switch. A second end of the second switch is intended to be connected to a DC voltage source. A control circuit controls operation of the first and second switches whereby the pixel is disconnected by the second switch during digitization and powered from the energy storage capacitor.

Abstract: A differential comparator circuit includes a voltage amplifier of negative gain receiving an analog input signal and generating an inverted analog input signal. The analog input signal and the inverted analog input signal form differential analog input signals. A comparator input circuit includes a first capacitive divider to generate a first signal as an average of the analog input signal and a first ramp signal, and a second capacitive divider to generate a second signal as an average of the inverted analog input signal and a second ramp signal, with the first and second ramp signals being differential ramp signals. The comparator is configured to compare the first and second signals to generate a signal transition having a timing based on the input signal.

Abstract: In an embodiment a digital-to-analog converter includes a plurality of first capacitors, each having a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the second electrodes are connected together and are connected to an inverting input of a first amplifier stage having its non-inverting input coupled to ground, a plurality of first switches, each of the first capacitors having its first electrode connected to a corresponding one of the first switches, wherein each of the first switches is configured to occupy a first state where the first electrode of a corresponding first capacitor is coupled to a first reference voltage and occupy a second state where the first electrode of the corresponding first capacitor is coupled to a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage, a capacitive feedback circuit connected between the inverting input and an output of the first amplifier stage, the capacitive feedback circuit including at least one second capacitor and a controller.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels inside and on top of a substrate. A control circuit is configured to apply voltage potentials to the substrate. During a first phase, the control circuit applies a ground potential to the substrate. During a second phase, the control circuit applies a potential positive with respect to the ground potential to the substrate.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first capacitance array formed by n nominally equal capacitive elements. A first electrode of each capacitive element is coupled, via respective switches to either a reference voltage or ground. A differential amplifier has a first input coupled to an output of a first capacitance array, a second input grounded, and an output generating a voltage ramp. A capacitive feedback circuit couples the output of the differential amplifier to the first input. A second capacitance array has an output coupled to the first input of the differential amplifier. The capacitive elements of the first capacitance array are organized in sets. The circuit operates by controllably coupling, set by set, second electrodes of the capacitive elements of the first capacitance array to the first input of the differential amplifier.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply circuit includes: a first transistor device comprising a first gate associated with a first transconductance and a second gate associated with a transconductance greater than the first transconductance; and a second transistor device including a third gate associated with a second transconductance and a fourth gate associated with a transconductance greater than the second transconductance. The second transistor device is configured to supply power to at least one load, the first and the third gates are controlled by a closed regulation loop, and the second and the fourth gates are controlled by a sampled reference voltage.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes image acquisition cells, wherein each cell has a photodetector coupled to a first node of the cell, and an amplifying transistor having a gate connected to the first node, a conduction node coupled to an output of the cell, and a node for controlling a back gate voltage. The amplifying transistor is configured so that its threshold voltage varies according to the back gate voltage. A control circuit adjusts a voltage applied to the control node of the back gate voltage of the amplifying transistor of one of the cells according to a comparison of the voltage present at the cell output and a reference voltage.

Abstract: A differential comparator circuit includes a voltage amplifier of negative gain receiving an analog input signal and generating an inverted analog input signal. The analog input signal and the inverted analog input signal form differential analog input signals. A comparator input circuit includes a first capacitive divider to generate a first signal as an average of the analog input signal and a first ramp signal, and a second capacitive divider to generate a second signal as an average of the inverted analog input signal and a second ramp signal, with the first and second ramp signals being differential ramp signals. The comparator is configured to compare the first and second signals to generate a signal transition having a timing based on the input signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply circuit includes: a first transistor device comprising a first gate associated with a first transconductance and a second gate associated with a transconductance greater than the first transconductance; and a second transistor device including a third gate associated with a second transconductance and a fourth gate associated with a transconductance greater than the second transconductance. The second transistor device is configured to supply power to at least one load, the first and the third gates are controlled by a closed regulation loop, and the second and the fourth gates are controlled by a sampled reference voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply circuit includes: a first transistor device comprising a first gate associated with a first transconductance and a second gate associated with a transconductance greater than the first transconductance; and a second transistor device including a third gate associated with a second transconductance and a fourth gate associated with a transconductance greater than the second transconductance. The second transistor device is configured to supply power to at least one load, the first and the third gates are controlled by a closed regulation loop, and the second and the fourth gates are controlled by a sampled reference voltage.

Abstract: In an embodiment a digital-to-analog converter includes a plurality of first capacitors, each having a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the second electrodes are connected together and are connected to an inverting input of a first amplifier stage having its non-inverting input coupled to ground, a plurality of first switches, each of the first capacitors having its first electrode connected to a corresponding one of the first switches, wherein each of the first switches is configured to occupy a first state where the first electrode of a corresponding first capacitor is coupled to a first reference voltage and occupy a second state where the first electrode of the corresponding first capacitor is coupled to a second reference voltage different from the first reference voltage, a capacitive feedback circuit connected between the inverting input and an output of the first amplifier stage, the capacitive feedback circuit including at least one second capacitor and a controller.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a power supply circuit includes: a first transistor device comprising a first gate associated with a first transconductance and a second gate associated with a transconductance greater than the first transconductance; and a second transistor device including a third gate associated with a second transconductance and a fourth gate associated with a transconductance greater than the second transconductance. The second transistor device is configured to supply power to at least one load, the first and the third gates are controlled by a closed regulation loop, and the second and the fourth gates are controlled by a sampled reference voltage.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels inside and on top of a substrate. A control circuit is configured to apply voltage potentials to the substrate. During a first phase, the control circuit applies a ground potential to the substrate. During a second phase, the control circuit applies a potential positive with respect to the ground potential to the substrate.

Abstract: An image sensor includes pixels each including: a first transistor and a first switch that are connected in series between a first node configured to receive a first potential and an internal node of the pixel, a gate of the first transistor being coupled with a floating diffusion node of the pixel; a capacitive element, a first terminal of which is connected to the floating diffusion node of the pixel; and several assemblies each including a capacitance connected in series with a second switch coupling the capacitance to the internal node. The sensor also includes a control circuit configured to control, each time a voltage is stored in one of the assemblies of a pixel, an increase of a determined value of a difference in potential between the floating diffusion node and the internal node of the pixel.

Abstract: A sensor includes pixels each including: a first transistor and a first switch in series between a first node and an internal node of the pixel, a gate of the first transistor being coupled to a second node; a capacitive element, a first terminal of which is connected to the second node; and a plurality of assemblies each including a capacitance in series with a second switch coupled to the internal node. The sensor includes a circuit configured to control, each time a voltage is stored in one of the assemblies, the interruption of a current between the first node and the internal node: by switching a first potential applied to a second terminal of the capacitive element; or by opening the first switch.

Abstract: A global shutter pixel includes a first transistor and a first switch series-connected between a first node of application of a potential and an internal node of the pixel. A control terminal of the first transistor is coupled to a floating diffusion node of the pixel. At least two assemblies are coupled to the internal node, where each assembly is formed of a capacitor series-connected with a second switch coupling the capacitor to the internal node. A second transistor has a control terminal connected to the internal node and a first conduction terminal coupled to an output node of the pixel. The pixel operation is controlled to store an initialization voltage from the floating diffusion on one of the capacitors and a pixel integration voltage from the floating diffusion on another of the capacitors.

Abstract: A sensor includes pixels each including: a first transistor and a first switch in series between a first node and an internal node of the pixel, a gate of the first transistor being coupled to a second node; a capacitive element, a first terminal of which is connected to the second node; and a plurality of assemblies each including a capacitance in series with a second switch coupled to the internal node. The sensor includes a circuit configured to control, each time a voltage is stored in one of the assemblies, the interruption of a current between the first node and the internal node: by switching a first potential applied to a second terminal of the capacitive element; or by opening the first switch.

Abstract: An image sensor includes pixels each including: a first transistor and a first switch that are connected in series between a first node configured to receive a first potential and an internal node of the pixel, a gate of the first transistor being coupled with a floating diffusion node of the pixel; a capacitive element, a first terminal of which is connected to the floating diffusion node of the pixel; and several assemblies each including a capacitance connected in series with a second switch coupling the capacitance to the internal node. The sensor also includes a control circuit configured to control, each time a voltage is stored in one of the assemblies of a pixel, an increase of a determined value of a difference in potential between the floating diffusion node and the internal node of the pixel.

Abstract: A global shutter pixel includes a first transistor and a first switch series-connected between a first node of application of a potential and an internal node of the pixel. A control terminal of the first transistor is coupled to a floating diffusion node of the pixel. At least two assemblies are coupled to the internal node, where each assembly is formed of a capacitor series-connected with a second switch coupling the capacitor to the internal node. A second transistor has a control terminal connected to the internal node and a first conduction terminal coupled to an output node of the pixel. The pixel operation is controlled to store an initialization voltage from the floating diffusion on one of the capacitors and a pixel integration voltage from the floating diffusion on another of the capacitors.