US 12,068,353 B2
Imaging device
Konstantin Stefanov, Milton Keynes (GB)
Assigned to TELEDYNE UK LIMITED, Chelmsford (GB)
Filed by TELEDYNE UK LIMITED, Chelmsford (GB)
Filed on Dec. 11, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/118,809.
Claims priority of application No. 1919089 (GB), filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0217799 A1, Jul. 15, 2021
Int. Cl. H01L 27/146 (2006.01); H04N 25/70 (2023.01)
CPC H01L 27/14643 (2013.01) [H01L 27/14603 (2013.01); H04N 25/70 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Imaging device comprising:
a substrate;
a pinned photodiode formed on the substrate, wherein the pinned photodiode generates a charge that is representative of incident radiation;
a first circuit defining a first path for measuring the charge and configured to non-destructively produce a first signal representative of the charge generated in the pinned photodiode, wherein the first circuit comprises:
a sense gate electrode formed on the substrate to capacitively couple the substrate to the charge; and
a measurement circuit configured to measure a voltage change of the sense gate;
a second circuit defining a second path for measuring the charge and configured to destructively produce a second signal representative of the charge; and
a readout circuit common to the first path and to the second path and comprising a source follower,
wherein the first path has a first conversion gain, the second path has a second conversion gain, and the first conversion gain differs from the second conversion gain.