Color-optimized pixel array design

US6548833B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Biomorphic VLSI, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Chi-Shao Lin · Bodden Town, KY
• Bimal Mathur · Thousand Oaks, US
• Taichi Wang · Thousand Oaks, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 2000
• Grant date: Apr 15, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F39/182

Abstract

A color optimized CMOS photodiode pixel array is provided. The pixel array employs different dimensions to take advantage of different characteristics of the photodiode physics to produce an enhanced image while minimizing the need for post processing. The design includes a relatively shallow blue pixel photodiode, a deeper green pixel photodiode, and a relatively deep red pixel photodiode. The red pixel photodiode is larger and deeper than the green pixel photodiode, which is larger and deeper than the blue pixel photodiode. Each color pixel photodiode comprises a junction diode and a depletion region. The CMOS construction of the three color pixel photodiodes may vary, but one possible construct of the red pixel photodiode would be an N Well/P Sub diode construct, the green pixel photodiode a N+/P Sub diode construct, and the blue being a N+/P Well or N+/P Sub diode construct.