17950526. ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME simplified abstract (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Contents
- 1 ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Original Abstract Submitted
ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Youngwoo Lee of Seongnam-si (KR)
ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 17950526 titled 'ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTING CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING POWER CONSUMPTION OF DUAL CONVERSION GAIN OPERATION, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME
Simplified Explanation
The patent application describes a circuit that includes a comparator and a counter. The comparator compares two pixel signals with two ramp signals to generate conversion gain output signals. The counter counts the pulses of the first conversion gain output signal and outputs a counting result as a digital signal. It determines whether an output of a second digital signal is required based on the counting result. If the output of the second digital signal is not required, the counter controls the comparator to not generate the second conversion gain output signal.
- The circuit includes a comparator and a counter.
- The comparator compares pixel signals with ramp signals to generate conversion gain output signals.
- The counter counts the pulses of the first conversion gain output signal and outputs a digital signal.
- The counter determines whether an output of a second digital signal is required based on the counting result.
- If the output of the second digital signal is not required, the counter controls the comparator to not generate the second conversion gain output signal.
Potential Applications
- Image sensors
- Digital cameras
- Video cameras
- Medical imaging devices
Problems Solved
- Efficient conversion gain control in image sensors
- Reduction of power consumption
- Improved image quality
Benefits
- Improved image sensor performance
- Reduced power consumption
- Enhanced image quality
- Cost-effective solution
Original Abstract Submitted
A circuit includes a comparator configured to generate a first conversion gain output signal by comparing a first pixel signal corresponding to a first conversion gain with a first ramp signal, and generate a second conversion gain output signal by comparing a second pixel signal corresponding to a second conversion gain with a second ramp signal, and a counter configured to count pulses of the first conversion gain output signal, output a counting result as a first digital signal, and determine whether an output of a second digital signal corresponding to the second conversion gain is required, based on the first digital signal. The first conversion gain is higher than the second conversion gain, and based on determining that the output of the second digital signal is not required, the counter is further configured to control the comparator such that the second conversion gain output signal is not generated.
