Small pixel development for novel CMOS image sensors
2008
Modern trends in camera module design for both mobile and DSC applications are driving the race to shrink pixel and
increase pixel array size. At the same time higher demands on the quality of color images - DSC-like quality for mobile
applications - require maintaining a large pixel capacity, quantum efficiency (QE), and sensitivity to preserve color
image quality. This becomes extremely difficult as the size of the pixel shrinks. This paper discusses the Common
Element Pixel Architecture (CEPA) for image sensors with small pixels as well as new pixel designs and process
changes, that have enabled a new generation of image sensors with high performance 2.2-μm, 1.75-μm, and smaller
pixels. Advanced algorithms of capturing the image help to overcome the challenges associated with the limited pixel
capacity of small pixels. The paper considers an HDR mode of operation for the small pixel and its effect on the image
quality. Achieving good color crosstalk performances is one of the big challenges in CMOS Image Sensors with small
pixels. The paper presents results of an experimental study of crosstalk for different pixel sizes, analyzes the effect of
crosstalk on the quality of color image and signal-to-noise ratio after color processing, and discusses ways of cross talk
reduction for small pixels.
Keywords:
- Correction
- Source
- Cite
- Save
- Machine Reading By IdeaReader
4
References
4
Citations
NaN
KQI