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Published on: December 15, 2015
Column-parallel correlated multiple sampling circuits for CMOS image sensors and their noise reduction effects
Sungho Suh1, Shinya Itoh, Satoshi Aoyama
1Research of Institute, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku Nakaku Hmamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan. shsuh@idl.rie.shizuoka.ac.jp
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 14, 2011
Summary
New correlated multiple sampling (CMS) circuits significantly reduce noise in low-noise complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors. These circuits offer improved performance for thermal, 1/f, and RTS noises, enhancing image quality.
Area of Science:
- * Electrical Engineering
- * Materials Science
Background:
- * Reducing pixel source follower noise is critical for low-noise complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors.
- * Column-parallel high-gain readout circuits are essential for achieving low noise levels in these sensors.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To present novel column-parallel high-gain signal readout circuits utilizing correlated multiple sampling (CMS) techniques.
- * To analyze the noise reduction effects of these CMS circuits, particularly focusing on 1/f and RTS noises.
- * To introduce two types of CMS circuits: simple integration and folding integration.
Main Methods:
- * Development and analysis of correlated multiple sampling (CMS) circuits with adjustable noise cancellation gain via the number of samplings.
- * Implementation of two CMS architectures: simple integration and folding integration.
- * Folding integration employs negative feedback with a comparator and a one-bit D-to-A converter to suppress output signal swing.
- * Noise analysis and experimental validation using a 1Mpixel pinned photodiode CMOS image sensor.
Main Results:
- * The proposed CMS circuits demonstrate significant noise reduction capabilities compared to traditional methods.
- * Simple integration CMS with 16 samplings achieved a dynamic range of 59.4 dB and a noise level of 1.9 e(-).
- * Folding integration CMS with 16 samplings achieved a wider dynamic range of 75 dB and a noise level of 2.2 e(-).
- * Folding integration CMS effectively maintains a wide dynamic range while achieving very low noise levels.
Conclusions:
- * Correlated multiple sampling (CMS) circuits, especially the folding integration type, are highly effective for reducing noise in CMOS image sensors.
- * The folding integration CMS offers a superior balance of wide dynamic range and low noise, crucial for advanced imaging applications.
- * The proposed techniques provide a viable solution for enhancing the performance of low-noise CMOS image sensors.
