Abstract: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. A counter is coupled to an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter is associated with each respective column. A clock or a source of counts at a predetermined sequence supplies clock signals or counts to the counter elements. Column comparators gate the counter elements when the analog ramp equals the pixel value. The counter contents feed a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counters elements can create and store a black level digital value that is subtracted from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. The counters may employ two's complement arithmetic. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. Ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus.

Abstract: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. A counter is coupled to an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter is associated with each respective column. A clock or a source of counts at a predetermined sequence supplies clock signals or counts to the counter elements. Column comparators gate the counter elements when the analog ramp equals the pixel value. The counter contents feed a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counters elements can create and store a black level digital value that is subtracted from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. The counters may employ two's complement arithmetic. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. Ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus.

Abstract: A solid state imager with pixels arranged in columns and rows has the pixels are configured into groups of at least a first pixel and a second pixel, each said group sharing a pixel output transistor having a sense electrode and an output electrode and a reset transistor having a gate coupled to receive a reset signal and an output coupled to the sense electrode of the associated shared pixel output transistor. Each of the pixels has a photosensitive element whose output electrode is coupled to the sense electrode of the shared pixel output transistor and a gate electrode coupled to receive respective first and second pixel gating signals. This configuration reduces the number of FETs to two transistors for each pair of pixels, and also can achieve true correlated double sampling correction of FPN.

Abstract: A solid state imager with pixels arranged in columns and rows has the pixels are configured into groups of at least a first pixel and a second pixel, each said group sharing a pixel output transistor having a sense electrode and an output electrode and a reset transistor having a gate coupled to receive a reset signal and an output coupled to the sense electrode of the associated shared pixel output transistor. Each of the pixels has a photosensitive element whose output electrode is coupled to the sense electrode of the shared pixel output transistor and a gate electrode coupled to receive respective first and second pixel gating signals. This configuration reduces the number of FETs to two transistors for each pair of pixels, and also can achieve true correlated double sampling correction of FPN.