Low noise amplifier and imaging element using same
US6614312B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03F2200/372
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An imaging element that includes a photodiode and an amplifier for integrating photocurrent from the photodiode. The amplifier includes an input follower, a level shifter, and an output amplifier. The level shifter provides DC isolation between the follower output and the output amplifier. The input follower includes an input transistor connected to the photodiode, and the output amplifier has an input transistor connected to the level shifter. The sizes of these transistors are chosen such that the area of the input transistor in the input follower is less that the area of the input transistor in the output amplifier. The input follower preferably utilizes PMOS transistors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.