Pixel circuit for generating an output signal in response to incident radiation
US10890482B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/446
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A pixel circuit is provided. The pixel circuit may comprise a photodiode, a comparator circuit, a capacitor, a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit and a third switch circuit. The photodiode is arranged to accumulate charges in response to incident radiation, to generate a photodiode signal. The comparator circuit is arranged to generate an output signal according to a voltage level of a specific node within the pixel circuit during a read-out phase of the pixel circuit. The capacitor is coupled between a control voltage terminal of the pixel circuit and the specific node, the first switch circuit is coupled between the photodiode and the specific node, the second switch circuit is coupled between the specific node and an output terminal of the pixel circuit, and the third switch circuit is coupled between the output terminal and the comparator circuit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.