Bio-inspired design: nonlinear digital pixels for multiple-tier processes

Orit Skorka; Alireza Mahmoodi; Jing Li; Dileepan Joseph

doi:10.1117/12.2009035

9 April 2013 Bio-inspired design: nonlinear digital pixels for multiple-tier processes

Orit Skorka, Alireza Mahmoodi, Jing Li, Dileepan Joseph

Proceedings Volume 8691, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2013; 86910M (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009035
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The pixel array in a conventional image sensor performs worse than the human retina mainly in dynamic range and dark limit. These limitations may be overcome by introducing others, but we aim to overcome them without limitation given biological precedent and inspiration. Whereas conventional image sensors use linear analog pixels in a single-tier process, we design nonlinear digital pixels for multiple-tier processes. A wide dynamic range is easily achieved with nonlinearity, while image quality is ensured through digital signal processing and in-pixel analog-to-digital conversion. For low dark limit and high spatial resolution, we exploit the high fill factor and heterogeneous integration of emerging multiple-tier processes. Our progress is demonstrated with experimental results from three image sensor prototypes, which provide supporting evidence for the proposed approach.

Citation Download Citation

Orit Skorka, Alireza Mahmoodi, Jing Li, and Dileepan Joseph "Bio-inspired design: nonlinear digital pixels for multiple-tier processes", Proc. SPIE 8691, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2013, 86910M (9 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009035

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