Method and apparatus for amplifying input signals in one of multiple modes of resolution
US5986510A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/46
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Outputs from an array of input signals are amplified by an amplification section, sampled and multiplexed onto an analog bus. Amplifiers in the amplification section are segregated into groups. When the amplifiers are in a first mode, as indicated by a binning signal, the amplifiers within each group are electrically isolated from another and function independently from one another to provide a high resolution output signal. When in a second mode, amplifiers within a group operate as a single unified amplifier that averages the inputs for that group to provide a single output. Thus, in this second mode of operation, readout speed may be improved while increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of each input signal relative to the first mode of operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.