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Patent US4660090A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4660090A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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CCD imager with on-chip processing
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1985-08-27
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Granted: 1987-04-21
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Expires: 2005-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A CCD imager with a correlated clamp sample and hold amplifier on chip includes a chain of CCD wells, a charge-sensing node coupled to one end of the chain of CCD wells, and a clock to clock charge packets from the chain of CCD wells into the charge-sensing node. A dummy charge-sensing node is integrated into the same monocrystalline semiconductor substrate as the charge-sensing node, and the charge-sensing node and the dummy node are connected to a common reference voltage. An amplifier senses a predetermined voltage change on the charge-sensing node with reference to the voltage on the dummy node after a charge packet has been transferred into the charge-sensing node.
Inventors
- 👤 Jaroslav Hynecek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:55
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/15; H10F39/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A CCD structure comprising: a chain of CCD wells; a first charge-sensing node coupled to one end of said chain of CCD wells; clocking means for clocking charge packets from said end of said chain of CCD wells into said first charge-sensing node; a buffer amplifier connected to sense the voltage on said first charge-sensing node; a dummy charge-sensing node integrated in a common body of monocrystalline semiconductor material with said first charge-sensing node; said first charge-sensing node and said dummy charge-sensing node being operatively connected to a common reference voltage; and means for sensing the voltage change on said first charge-sensing node after a charge packet has been transferred into said first charge-sensing node with reference to the voltage on said dummy node.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A CCD structure comprising: a chain of CCD wells; a first charge-sensing node coupled to one end of said chain of CCD wells; clocking means for clocking charge packets from said end of said chain of CCD wells into said first charge-sensing node; a buffer amplifier connected to sense the voltage on said first charge-sensing node; a dummy charge-sensing node integrated in a common body of monocrystalline semiconductor material with said first charge-sensing node; said first charge-sensing node and said dummy charge-sensing node being operatively connected to a common reference voltage; and means for sensing the voltage change on said first charge-sensing node after a charge packet has been transferred into said first charge-sensing node with reference to the voltage on said dummy node.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
146 words
A CCD structure comprising: a chain of CCD wells; a charge-sensing node coupled to one end of said chain of CCD wells; clocking means for clocking charge packets from said end of said chain of CCD wells into said charge-sensing node; and a correlated-clamp-sample-and-hold amplifier, integrated in a common body of monocrystalline semiconductor material with said CCD wells, comprising a buffer amplifier connected to sense the voltage on said charge-sensing node, reset means for resetting said charge-sensing node to a predetermined potential, a first coupling capacitance Co connecting the output of said first buffer amplifier to the input of a second buffer amplifier, a second coupling capacitance Cs connecting the output of said first buffer amplifier to ground, a dummy charge-sensing node connected to said input of said second buffer amplifier, and a third buffer amplifier operatively conected to the output of said second buffer amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
146 words
A CCD structure comprising: a chain of CCD wells; a charge-sensing node coupled to one end of said chain of CCD wells; clocking means for clocking charge packets from said end of said chain of CCD wells into said charge-sensing node; and a correlated-clamp-sample-and-hold amplifier, integrated in a common body of monocrystalline semiconductor material with said CCD wells, comprising a buffer amplifier connected to sense the voltage on said charge-sensing node, reset means for resetting said charge-sensing node to a predetermined potential, a first coupling capacitance Co connecting the output of said first buffer amplifier to the input of a second buffer amplifier, a second coupling capacitance Cs connecting the output of said first buffer amplifier to ground, a dummy charge-sensing node connected to said input of said second buffer amplifier, and a third buffer amplifier operatively conected to the output of said second buffer amplifier.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The CCD structure of claim 2, wherein said second and third buffer amplifiers are separated by a means for sampling the output of said second buffer amplifier, the input of said third amplifier being connected to receive a sampled output from said second amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The CCD structure of claim 2, wherein said first and second buffer amplifiers each comprise a source follower.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The CCD structure of claim 2, wherein said first and second buffer amplifiers each comprise a FET, said FET having a gate to which said input is connected and also having a source connected to a load element, said load element comprising a JFET.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The CCD structure of claim 5, wherein said JFET load of said first buffer amplifier has a width to length ratio which is much less than one.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4496982A
Cited
US4556851A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-04-20 | 1990-10-20 | 1991-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-04-20 | 1994-10-20 | 1995-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-04-20 | 1998-10-20 | 1999-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |