Keith Findlater

SXGA pinned photodiode CMOS image sensor in 0.35 /spl mu/m technology

A 30 frames/s SXGA 5.6 /spl mu/m pinned photodiode pixel column parallel CMOS image sensor achieves 340 /spl mu/V noise floor and 40 pA/cm/sup 2/ dark current. Performance is limited by pixel 1/f noise, not by the ADC noise floor of 140 /spl mu/V. The column ADC memory employs a custom DRAM to save area. The sensor utilizes a 0.35 /spl mu/m 1P 3M CMOS process.

Source follower noise limitations in CMOS active pixel sensors

CMOS imagers are commonly employing pinned photodiode pixels and true correlated double sampling to eliminate kTC noise and achieve low noise performance. Low noise performance also depends on optimisation of the readout circuitry. This paper investigates the effect of the pixel source follower transistor on the overall noise performance through several characterization methods. The characterization methods are described, and experimental results are detailed. It is shown that the source follower noise can be the limiting factor of the image sensor and requires optimisation.

A noise reduction filter for full-frame data imaging devices

This paper describes a method for video sequences denoising that exploits extra-information provided by the image sensor. Fixed pattern noise and temporal noise are removed by analyzing a series of lines placed at the top of the imager.

A temporal noise reduction filter based on image sensor full-frame data

This paper describes a temporal filter aimed at the simultaneous cancellation of fixed pattern noise and temporal noise from image sequences by exploiting all the data provided by a typical image sensor (e.g. CCD/CMOS).

A 35 mm film format CMOS image sensor for camera-back applications

A 5 V 1120×1808 pixel 35 mm film format CMOS image sensor for camera-back use, fabricated in 0.5 μm 2-poly 3-metal (2P3M) technology, includes integrated light-detection circuitry using non-destructive pixel read and consumes <50 μW. Reticle stitching is employed for the large format. Dynamic range is 66 dB and peak SNR is 55 dB.