Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an image sensor comprises a plurality of pixel sensing circuits. Each pixel sensing circuit includes a photodiode and a storage node. Each pixel sensing circuit further includes a first transistor coupled between the photodiode and the storage node and a second transistor coupled between the photodiode and a shared node. The shared node is coupled to the plurality of pixel sensing circuits. The image sensor may include a reset transistor and/or a read-out circuit coupled to the shared node.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can photograph a high-definition image and a moving image of lower resolution at high quality and an image pickup system which uses the image pickup apparatus are provided. Unit pixel groups each of which comprises plural pixels including photoelectric conversion units and transfer transistors for transferring signal charges from the photoelectric conversion units, an amplification transistor common to the plural pixels, and the like are arranged in row and column directions. With respect to the plural unit pixel groups mutually adjacent in the row direction, control lines for controlling the transfer transistors respectively corresponding to the adjacent two photoelectric conversion units are alternately connected to an odd row and an even row in the row direction.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a transfer block including a first transfer unit and a second transfer unit, wherein the first transfer unit includes a first impedance converter which transfers a first signal to the output unit, and the first transfer unit transfers, as a third signal, a difference signal between a first offset of the first impedance converter and a signal obtained by superimposing the first offset on the first signal, the second transfer unit includes a second impedance converter which transfers a second signal to the output unit, and the second transfer unit transfers, as a fourth signal, a difference signal between a second offset of the second impedance converter and a signal obtained by superimposing the second offset on the second signal, and the output unit calculates a difference between the third signal and the fourth signal, generating and outputting an image signal.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element that converts light into an electric signal, a feedback amplifying circuit that amplifies a signal of the pixel using an amplification factor that is based on a variable feedback capacitor, a storage capacitor connected to an output node of the amplifying circuit via a first switch, and a load element connected to the output node of the amplifying circuit via a second switch. The second switch is in an on state during any one of or both of a period in which the feedback capacitor is reset and a period in which the first switch is in an on state.

Abstract: A video camera (100) for transmitting image data from an image pickup device to an image processing device with reduced electric power includes a C-MOS image sensor (110) that reads captured image data on the basis of a reference clock CLK0, a frequency multiplying circuit (121) that generates a high-speed clock CLK1, a rearranging circuit (122) that transposes the captured image data into bit data sequences, a data output section (120) that causes each data transmitter (124) to sequentially transmit a corresponding bit data sequence to the outside on the basis of the high-speed clock CLK1, and a system controller (400) that drives data transmitters (124), the number of which is proportional to a transmission speed.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of sensors that are formed on a substrate on a pixel basis and photoelectrically convert the light incident from a first surface side of the substrate, and a readout circuit that is formed on a second surface side of the substrate, which is the opposite side to the first surface side, and processes a signal from the plurality of sensors. The readout circuit includes a plurality of transistors and the transistors are disposed in a region between the pixels in an aligned manner.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels arranged linearly along columns of N, a plurality of clamping capacitors each arranged corresponding to each column of the pixels, for accumulating the charge amplified by an amplifying unit in the pixel, and a common node arranged corresponding to each set including the clamping capacitors of L (L is equal to or larger than 2, and a divisor of N), and connectable to each set including the clamping capacitors of L. A plurality of pixel selection switches are connected between the clamping capacitor and the common node, and a clamping unit clamps the common nodes to a reference potential. In addition, a sampling and holding circuit connects to the common nodes through the clamping unit, and samples and holds a charge corresponding to a charge of the common node.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprises: a plurality of pixels; a signal line; a holding block; an output unit; and a control unit, wherein the control unit selectively operates the holding block in a first mode or a second mode, the first mode being a mode in which a first signal is held in a first holding unit and then transferred from the first holding unit to a second holding unit via a first impedance conversion unit, and in which a second signal is held in a third holding unit and then transferred from the third holding unit to a fourth holding unit via a second impedance conversion unit, and the second mode being a mode in which the first signal is transferred to the second holding unit via the first impedance conversion unit and the second signal is transferred to the fourth holding unit via the first impedance conversion unit.

Abstract: An image sensor, in particular a CMOS image sensor, for electronic cameras having a plurality of light-sensitive pixels which are arranged in rows and columns and whose signals are conducted via a plurality of column lines to column amplifiers, with a column amplifier being associated with each column line. At least one further column amplifier which is simultaneously also associated with at least one other column line is associated with the respective column line. A switching device switches the respective column line selectively to one of the associated column amplifiers.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel array; a readout unit; a first terminal; and a second terminal, wherein the readout unit including a column amplification unit, a holding unit, a first power supply line, and a second power supply line, and wherein the column amplification unit including a transistor having a gate electrode and back-gate electrode, the gate electrode receiving a signal read out from a pixel on each column of the pixel array, and the holding unit including a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode receiving a signal amplified by the column amplification unit, and wherein the first power supply line transfers the first power supply voltage to the back-gate electrode of the transistor, and the second power supply line transfers the second power supply voltage to the second electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: Before a signal charge from a photodiode 1 is transferred to a signal charge accumulating portion 3 by a scanning circuit 20, a reset transistor 4 is turned on for a prescribed period to reset the voltage of the signal charge accumulating portion 3 in a state in which the voltage of a read signal line 7 is retained at a first voltage (Vg) by lowering the drain side voltage of an amplifying transistor 5. Subsequently, by raising the drain side voltage of the amplifying transistor 5 by a scanning circuit 20 to make the read signal line 7 have a second voltage (Vrst) higher than the first voltage (Vg), the voltage of the signal charge accumulating portion 3 is made higher than a voltage immediately after resetting. Then, the transfer transistor 2 is turned on to transfer the signal charge from the photodiode 1 to the signal charge accumulating portion 3.

Abstract: An image sensor has a per-column ADC arrangement including first and second capacitors for correlated double sampling, and a comparator circuit. The capacitors are continuously connected to, respectively, the analog pixel signal and a ramp signal without use of a hold operation. The comparator circuit comprises a differential amplifier having one input connected to the junction of the two capacitors and another input connected to a reference signal. The reference signal is preferably sampled and held from a reference voltage. The use of a differential amplifier as first stage of the comparator addresses problems arising from ground voltage bounce when a large pixel array images a scene with low contrast.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a reading unit having a plurality of pixels connected thereto, holding signals from the pixels, and a control unit capable of controlling operations of the pixels and reading unit. The control unit controls the pixels and reading unit in a first operation mode without addition, in a second operation mode in which signals from aa of the pixels are added, aa being an integer greater than one, and in a third operation mode in which signals from bb of the pixels are added, bb being an integer greater than aa. The reading unit includes a holding unit having a capacitance value of C, and the holding unit includes a first capacitor having a capacitance value of C/bb and a second capacitor having a capacitance value of C/p, p being a common multiple of aa and bb.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a pixel imaging circuit that incorporates a standard photodiode. However, the imaging circuit is modified with a feedback loop to provide a first photo response over a first portion of the light sensing range (e.g., at higher light intensity range) and a second reduced-sensitivity photo response over a second portion of the light sensing range (i.e., at a lower light intensity range), thereby extending the circuits dynamic range of coverage. Also disclosed are embodiments of an associated imaging method and a design structure that is embodied in a machine readable medium and used in the imaging circuit design process.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels, each pixel containing an amplification section for outputting onto an output signal line, and a reset section for resetting an accumulation section; a noise suppressing section with using a first signal being an output from the pixel at the time of resetting for suppressing noise components contained in a second signal corresponding to the signal electric charges; and a control section for, of the outputs onto the output signal line of a first pixel being subject of the noise suppressing operation, respectively limiting the first signal and the second signal to a first electric potential and to a second electric potential with using an output resulting from reset operation onto the output signal line from a second pixel different from the first pixel and connected to the same one output signal line as the first pixel.

Abstract: Each of a plurality of unit pixels includes first and second photoelectric conversion units, and a pixel output unit shared between the first and second photoelectric conversion units. A monitoring unit configured to control the charge-accumulation operation of the first photoelectric conversion unit by monitoring a signal generated based on the second photoelectric conversion unit is provided.

Abstract: An output terminal of a photoelectric conversion element included in the photoelectric conversion device is connected to a drain terminal and a gate terminal of a MOS transistor which is diode-connected, and a voltage Vout generated at the gate terminal of the MOS transistor is detected in accordance with a current Ip which is generated at the photoelectric conversion element. The voltage Vout generated at the gate terminal of the MOS transistor can be directly detected, so that the range of output can be widened than a method in which an output voltage is converted into a current by connecting a load resistor, and so on.

Abstract: In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval.

Abstract: An image capturing device comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion portion, a plurality of signal lines connected to the pixel array, a plurality of column amplifiers configured to respectively amplify signals transferred from the pixel array via the signal lines, the column amplifier comprising a first input terminal, a first output terminal, an amplifier having a second input terminal and a second output terminal, a feedback capacitance arranged between the second input terminal and the first output terminal, an input capacitance having an electrode connected to the first input terminal, and an electrode connected to the second input terminal, a first switch arranged between the second input terminal and the second output terminal, a second switch arranged between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and a third switch arranged between a reference voltage terminal and the first output terminal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes first-group pixels 41, second-group pixels 42 skipped during thinning drive, and a scanning section 13. The scanning section 13 drives each of the first-group pixels 41 to perform read operation of outputting the output signal and initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a first level, and also drives each of the second-group pixels 42 to perform discharge operation of initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a second level that is higher than the first level and lower than a saturation signal level of the photoelectric conversion element 12.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, and an amplifier circuit which amplifies and outputs signals of the plurality of pixels is provided. The plurality of pixels include a first pixel having a first photoelectric conversion element with a first sensitivity and a second pixel having a second photoelectric conversion element with a second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity. The amplifier circuit amplifies a signal output from the first pixel by a first gain and a signal output from the second pixel by a second gain smaller than the first gain.

Abstract: In a solid-state image pickup apparatus having a pixel array unit composed by two-dimensionally arranging pixels for detecting a physical quantity in a row-column manner, pixel signals of a plurality of systems having different sensitivities are read from the pixel array unit in an analog manner, the pixel signals of the plurality of systems are amplified at respective basis amplification rates when a gain setting of the analog pixel signals is lower than a predetermined gain, and a pixel signal of at least one system having a high sensitivity among the plurality of systems is amplified at a plurality of amplification rates including an amplification rate higher than a basis amplification rate of the system having the high sensitivity when the gain setting is equal to or higher than the predetermined gain.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of providing optimal image quality according to a scene to be shot, and is improved in user-friendliness. A determination unit comprising a comparator, a comparison potential, and an OR element determines an output level of each pixel or each area formed by a plurality of pixels in the image pickup device with reference to a predetermined output level. A system controller changes a charge transfer period in a horizontal blanking period for a line including a pixel or an area of with the output level is not lower than the predetermined output level, according to a result of determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel array; a readout unit; a first terminal; and a second terminal, wherein the readout unit including a column amplification unit, a holding unit, a first power supply line, and a second power supply line, and wherein the column amplification unit including a transistor having a gate electrode and back-gate electrode, the gate electrode receiving a signal read out from a pixel on each column of the pixel array, and the holding unit including a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode receiving a signal amplified by the column amplification unit, and wherein the first power supply line transfers the first power supply voltage to the back-gate electrode of the transistor, and the second power supply line transfers the second power supply voltage to the second electrode of the capacitor.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprising: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converting element; a plurality of capacitor which receive signals from the plurality of pixels at first terminals; a plurality of clamping switches for setting a second terminal of each of the plurality of capacitor into a predetermined electric potential; a plurality of first storing units for storing signals from the second terminals of the plurality of capacitor; a plurality of second storing units for storing the signals from the second terminals of the plurality of capacitor; a first common output line to which the signals from the plurality of first storing units are sequentially output; a second common output line to which the signals from the plurality of second storing units are sequentially output; and a difference circuit for operating a difference between the signal from the first common output line and the signal from the second common output line.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus and a method of driving the solid-state imaging apparatus. If the total read out time of all of the pixels is shortened when effective pixels are thinned out to be read out without thinning out OB pixels, then the reset time period of each row is different from each other, and the problem of uneven charge accumulation time periods is caused. An improvement by the present invention is that, if no signals are read out from a part of the rows of the pixels in an effective pixel region to skip the rows, then the time period in which the rows to be skipped are selected is made to be shorter than the time period in which the rows from which signals are read out are selected, and the pixels in the optical black pixel region and the pixels in the effective pixel region are driven by the drive pulses of patterns different from each other.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging includes a comparing circuit, an inverting circuit, and a masking circuit, and performs column parallel AD conversion processing of analog pixel signals outputted from a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form. The comparing circuit outputs a difference signal obtained by comparing each of the pixel signals outputted from the pixels with a reference signal having a ramp waveform. The inverting circuit inverts a logic of the difference signal outputted from the comparing circuit. The masking circuit masks an output of an output signal of the inverting circuit to a circuit in a subsequent stage during an input offset canceling period in which the comparing circuit is canceling an input offset between the pixel signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging device and an imaging apparatus including the solid-state imaging device that are capable of reducing occurrence of vertical stripes on an image while suppressing a black level shift thereon. A clipping circuit operation change-over switch enables a clip transistor when a column comparison unit determines that the voltage of a pixel signal is lower than a reference voltage for determination, and disables the clip transistor when the column comparison unit determines that the voltage of the pixel signal is higher than or equal to the reference voltage for determination.

Abstract: Provided is a dual sampling/pixel gain amplifier (CDS/PxGA) circuit with a shared amplifier, and more particularly, to a dual CDS/PxGA circuit for adjusting a gain of an amplifier based on capacitance. The dual CDS/PxGA circuit comprises: a first sampler for sampling a reset level and a data level of a first pixel; a second sampler for sampling a reset level and a data level of a second pixel; and an operational amplifier for receiving sampling values from the first and second samplers, calculating output signals of the first and second pixels using the sampling values, and amplifying the calculated output signals. Thus, it is possible to reduce a speed of an operational amplifier by using the dual CDS/PxGA structure, reduce power consumption by sharing the operational amplifier, and obtain a variable gain of a wide range by adjusting capacitance using a capacitor array.

Abstract: An ingestible device, adapted to travel in the gastrointestinal tract and perform a diagnostic image of tissue therein, is provided. The diagnostic image may comprise diagnostic information as a function of time, or diagnostic information as a function of distance traveled within the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, the ingestible device may be arranged to perform a diagnostic image of nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, scintillation of a scintillation liquid, responsive to nuclear radiation of a radiophamaceutical, optical fluorescence of a fluorescing-pharmaceutical or of bare gastrointestinal-tract tissue, infrared radiation of the gastrointestinal-tract tissue, temperature-differences along the gastrointestinal-tract, impedance, ultrasound reflection, magnetic resonance, and a combination thereof. The ingestible device may be adapted for general screening of a large population, on the one hand, and for specific diagnoses of suspected pathologies, on the other.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel unit which has an array of a plurality of groups each including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an adding unit configured to add, of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels arrayed in the groups, homochromatic pixel signals. The adding unit has, for each group, a common pixel amplifier commonly connected to homochromatic pixels. The adding unit adds the pixel signals of the homochromatic pixels in the gate portion of the common pixel amplifier so that the spatial centers of gravity of the pixels added in the group are arranged at equal pitches in at least one of the row direction and the column direction.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels, each pixel containing a photoelectric conversion section; an accumulation section; a transfer section; an amplification section; and a reset section for resetting the accumulation section; the pixel section having output signal lines provided column by column onto which the pixel signal is outputted, connected to the other end of a constant current supply having one end grounded; and a control section where, of a first one of the pixels and a second one of the pixels connected to the same one output signal line, taking the first pixel as one of the pixels subject to reading of pixel signal conforming to the incident light and the second pixel as non-subject one of the pixels set in accordance with a location of the first pixel, an output from the second pixel onto the output signal line is used at the time of outputting of the pixel signal from the first pixel onto the output signal line to effect control so that an electric potential difference

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup apparatus, including a pixel array section in which a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section and a charge detection section for detecting charge generated by photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion section is disposed; a driving section adapted to carry out driving of reading out a signal of the unit pixel divisionally by twice as a first signal and a second signal; and a signal processing section adapted to set the first signal read out first from the unit pixel as a reference voltage for a processable input voltage range of the signal processing section, adjust the reference voltage so that the first and second signals may be included in the input voltage range and carry out signal processing for the first and second signals using the adjusted reference voltage.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus including a pixel, a current source, and a signal processing circuit. The pixel outputs signal charge, obtained by imaging, as a pixel signal. The current source is connected to a transmission path for the pixel signal and has a variable current. The signal processing circuit performs signal processing on a signal depending on an output signal to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with the result of signal processing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including, a pixel array unit, driving means, signal processing means, level determining means and control means.

Abstract: A read out integrated circuit includes (ROIC) an array of pixel circuits, each of which has a first charge storage element electrically connected across an amplifier, and a second charge storage element having a selectively activated electrical connection across the amplifier. First and second gain select switches are configured to control the selectively activated electrical connection so as to selectively place the second charge storage element in electrical parallel with the first charge storage element and cause both the first and said second charge storage elements to store charge in response to light detected by said associated pixel. The circuit includes gain control column lines, each gain control column line configured to control a plurality of the first gain select switches belonging to pixel circuits in an associated column of the array.

Abstract: A cascaded imaging storage system for a pixel is disclosed for improving intrascene dynamic range. Charges accumulated in a first capacitor spill over into a second capacitor when a charge storage capacity of the first capacitor is exceeded. A third capacitor may also be provided such that charges accumulated by said second capacitor spill over into the third capacitor when the charge storage capacity of the second capacitor is exceeded.

Abstract: An image sensor having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a row direction and a column direction, comprises a plurality of pixel amplifiers which are arranged in the row direction for each column, and one of which is shared by at least two pixels of each column; two output lines arranged for each column, to either of which signals are output from the plurality of pixel amplifiers arranged in the row direction for each column; and an averaging unit which averages signals output from the two output lines arranged for the same column.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup apparatus which allows, when being applied as an element of a solid-state image pickup array, to reduce a non-sensitive region between the adjacent devices, and can thus obtain more accurate imaging results. The solid-state image pickup apparatus comprises a photodetecting section, an output section, a row selecting section, and a column selecting section, and further comprises M waveform shaping circuits as waveform shaping means for shaping the waveforms of row selecting signals. A row selecting signal outputted from the row selecting section is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit and is then inputted into N pixels that constitute an mth row of the photodetecting section.

Abstract: An solid state image pickup device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions (PD1, PD2) for generating carriers by photoelectric conversions to accumulate the generated carriers, an amplifying unit for amplifying the carriers, being commonly provided to at least two photoelectric conversion regions, a first and a second transfer units (Tx-MOS1, Tx-MOS2) for transferring the carriers accumulated in the first and the second photoelectric conversion regions, respectively, a first and a second carrier accumulating units (Cs1, Cs2) for accumulating the carriers flowing out from the first and the second photoelectric conversion regions through a first and a second fixed potential barriers, respectively, and a third and a fourth transfer units (Cs-MOS1, Cs-MOS2) for transferring the carriers accumulated in the first and the second carrier accumulating units to the amplifying unit, respectively.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels and increasing portions increasing charges stored in the pixels, wherein the frequency of increasing the charges is controlled every group of at least one pixel in response to luminance of light incident upon the pixels by the increasing portions.

Abstract: A solid-state image capturing apparatus is provided, and, in a pixel of a 3TR structure, the solid-state image capturing apparatus increases the reset electric potential of the signal charge accumulation section upon a reset operation so that an electric potential difference between the signal voltage and the reset voltage upon transferring of a signal charge is sufficiently secured, a complete transferring of the signal charge is easily performed from the photoelectric conversion element to the signal charge accumulation section, and a stable condition is provided.

Abstract: A fast-settling line driver circuit capable of high-speed operation. The line driver is particularly well-suited for operation in a high-resolution imaging system. The line driver circuit comprises a signal amplifier that is configured in a negative feedback loop and connected to a bus line through a switch network. The switch network is disposed inside the feedback loop while the line driver is transmitting a signal onto the bus line. This configuration reduces the settling time of the line driver by substantially eliminating the effect of the switch resistance on the RC time constant. The line driver also comprises offset cancellation and presettle circuits that improve the integrity of the output signal and reduce the power consumption of the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus. The apparatus includes a pixels (10) adapted to receive light and to output a current representative of the received light; a feedback circuitry (20), connected to the pixel (10), adapted to receive said current and to receive a reference current (Iref) and to provide a feedback signal to the pixel (10) at least during at least a reset stage of the pixel (10). The method includes: (i) receiving light, by a pixel 10), and providing a pixel output signal representative of the received light; (ii) receiving, by a feedback circuitry, the pixel output signal; and (iii) providing multiple feedback signals to the pixel at least during a reset stage of the pixel (10).

Abstract: A photoelectric converting apparatus of the present invention includes a photoelectric converting element, a resetting transistor in which a source is connected to the photoelectric converting element and a drain is connected to a resetting power source, a readout transistor in which a gate is connected to the photoelectric converting element and a drain is connected to a readout power source, a signal line connected to a source of the readout transistor, a selecting transistor connected between the readout power source or the signal line and the readout transistor, and a constant current source connected to the signal line.

Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion device, groups of unit pixels are arranged in a well, where each of the unit pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements, an amplifier transistor, and transfer transistors. The photoelectric conversion device includes a line used to supply a voltage to the well, a well-contact part used to connect the well-voltage-supply line to the well, and transfer-control lines used to control the transfer transistors. The transfer-control lines are symmetrically arranged with respect to the well-voltage-supply line in respective regions of the unit-pixel groups.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a device in vivo. The system and method may utilize a steerable receiver, typically an element that is maneuverable by a magnetic field, for controlling the movement of a device, including the direction, force and velocity of the device movement.

Abstract: A low-noise active pixel circuit is disclosed that efficiently suppresses reset (kTC) noise by using a compact preamplifier consisting of a photodetector and only three transistors of identical polarity, in conjunction with ancillary circuits located on an imager's periphery. The use of only three transistors with a tapered reset signal allows the optical area to be increased, while still providing a low-noise imager.