Abstract: An imager may include hybrid pixels that can be operated in first and second configurations. A hybrid pixel may include a floating diffusion region and first and second photodiodes that are coupled to the floating diffusion region. The second photodiode may be coupled to the floating diffusion region by a transfer gate. The first photodiode may accumulate charge during a first integration period, whereas the second photodiode may accumulate charge during a second integration period. The imager may operate the hybrid pixel for improved dynamic range by controlling the configuration of the hybrid pixel.

Abstract: An imager may include hybrid pixels that can be operated in first and second configurations. A hybrid pixel may include a floating diffusion region and first and second photodiodes that are coupled to the floating diffusion region. The second photodiode may be coupled to the floating diffusion region by a transfer gate. The first photodiode may accumulate charge during a first integration period, whereas the second photodiode may accumulate charge during a second integration period. The imager may operate the hybrid pixel for improved dynamic range by controlling the configuration of the hybrid pixel.

Abstract: A method for configuring an image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, each pixel of the array including a metal segment disposed in a second metal layer and an interlayer connect element coupled between the metal segment and a first metal layer. The method includes modeling a base pixel configuration for each pixel of the array, the base pixel configuration including the metal segment at a first position in the second metal layer, and the first interlayer connect element at a second position which is coincident with the first position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a programmable boost signal. A first input receives at least one programming control signal. A second input receives a reference signal. The programmable boost signal generation circuit receives the programming control signal and the reference signal and generates a boost signal with at least two programmable levels based on the reference signal. The level of the boost signal is selected by the programming control signal.

Abstract: An image sensor including a substrate, at least one metal layer, and a plurality of pixels arranged in array. Each pixel includes a sense element disposed in the substrate and at least one metal interconnect segment disposed in the at least one metal layer. The array includes a pair of perpendicular axes extending from an optical center, wherein for a line of pixels extending perpendicularly from one of the axes to a peripheral edge of the array a spacing between the sense elements of consecutive pairs of pixels of the line is at least equal to a spacing between the associated at least one metal interconnect segments, and wherein for at least one consecutive pair of pixels of the line the spacing between the sense elements is greater by an incremental amount than the spacing between the corresponding at least one metal interconnect segments.

Abstract: An image sensor including an array of pixels having an optical center, the array including a first pixel substantially at a first distance from the optical center in a first direction and a second pixel substantially at the first distance from the optical center in a second direction which is opposite the first direction. The first pixel includes a first metal segment and a first interlayer connect element. The first metal segment is positioned in a second metal layer at a shift distance toward the optical center from a first position. The first interlayer connect element is coupled between the first metal segment and a first metal layer and is positioned at the shift distance toward the optical center from a second position, wherein the second position is coincident with the first position. The second pixel includes a second metal segment, a second interlayer connect element, and a span element.

Abstract: A pixel includes a surface configured to receive incident light and a floor formed by a semiconductor substrate. A photodetector is disposed in the floor. A dielectric structure is disposed between the surface and the floor. A volume of the dielectric structure between the surface and the photodetector provides an optical path configured to transmit a portion of the incident light upon the surface to the photodetector. An embedded optical element is disposed at least partially within the optical path and is configured to partially define the optical path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a boost signal to a pixel array that includes a plurality of rows are described. The apparatus includes a first input that receives a boost signal. The apparatus also includes a second input that receives at least one control signal and a third input that receives a reset enable signal. The apparatus also includes a plurality of outputs. Each output is coupled to a corresponding row of the pixel array. The apparatus selectively provides the boost signal at one of the outputs based on the control signal and the reset enable signal.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor array sampling system provides a differential voltage based upon a sampled video voltage and a sampled reference voltage for each pixel of the array. The system includes a reference and a video circuit for each column of pixels. The video circuits sample all of the column pixel video voltages of each row of pixels together in parallel. The column video voltages of each row of pixels are serially read. The reference amplifier samples and provides a reference voltage as each video voltage is read from the video circuits.