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US5708263A
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US
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Photodetector array
Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-13
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Granted: 1998-01-13
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Expires: 2016-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A photodetector array for sensing radiant energy is described incorporating photodetectors, a respective semiconductor region for holding charge and two transistors coupled in series at each pixel, and a column load transistor. An amplifier at the load transistor may provide gain while providing dynamic range compression and a reduction in signal noise due to resetting of the voltage at the semiconductor regions. The invention overcomes the problem of CMOS manufacturing of photodetector arrays and for a simplified circuit per pixel to enable denser arrays and reduced noise.
Inventors
- 👤 Hon-Sum Philip Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for sensing radiant energy comprising: an array of photodetectors for generating charge in response to radiant energy and for transferring said charge to a respective semiconductor region on a semiconductor substrate, each photodetector having said semiconductor region coupled to the gate of a first field effect transistor, the drain of said first field effect transistor coupled to a first power supply lead, the source of said first field effect transistor coupled to the drain of a second field effect transistor, the gate of said second field effect transistor coupled to a first control signal for selecting said respective photodetector, the sources of a plurality of said second field effect transistors coupled together and to one side of a resistive load to provide an output, said other side of said resistive load coupled to a power supply lead.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for sensing radiant energy comprising: an array of photodetectors for generating charge in response to radiant energy and for transferring said charge to a respective semiconductor region on a semiconductor substrate, each photodetector having said semiconductor region coupled to the gate of a first field effect transistor, the drain of said first field effect transistor coupled to a first power supply lead, the source of said first field effect transistor coupled to the drain of a second field effect transistor, the gate of said second field effect transistor coupled to a first control signal for selecting said respective photodetector, the sources of a plurality of said second field effect transistors coupled together and to one side of a resistive load to provide an output, said other side of said resistive load coupled to a power supply lead.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resistive load includes a third field effect transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the drain of said third field effect transistor is coupled to said output, the source of said third field effect transistor is coupled to a second power supply lead and the gate of said third field effect transistor is adapted for coupling to a third voltage whereby said third field effect transistor provides a load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including an amplifier coupled to said output.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said amplifier includes a first capacitor and an inverter coupled in series, said inverter having a second capacitor coupled in parallel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-01-12 | 2001-07-14 | 2002-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-12 | 2005-07-14 | 2006-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-12 | 2009-07-14 | 2010-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |