A Quadsampling Widedynamicrange Pulsefrequency Modulation Pixel

• doi: 10.1109/TED.2012.2231961
• title: A Quad-Sampling Wide-Dynamic-Range Pulse-Frequency Modulation Pixel
• publisher: IEEE
• isbn:
• issn: 1557-9646
• rank: 892
• access_type: LOCKED
• content_type: Journals
• abstract: We present a wide dynamic range (WDR) CMOS image sensor structure using the pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) pixel. The proposed pixel achieves a dynamic range (DR) of 124 dB with 8-bit resolution and operates in 60 frames/s. A quad-sampling technique is implemented that successfully reduces the pixel size by only using a 6-bit counter within the pixel. The sampling method incorporates cooperation between the pixel and column circuits to generate an automatically compressed signal that can be directly displayed without post-processing. This design has been verified through the field-programmable gate array (FPGA) implementation with a sample pixel. According to the experimental results, the sensor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is mainly limited by the quantization noise of the light-to-frequency conversion. The maximum SNR is 48 dB, and the common SNR dip is successfully avoided. In addition, the achievable array size is determined by all sampling periods and can be of megapixels with appropriate designs.
• article_number: 6397599
• pdf_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6397599
• html_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6397599/
• abstract_url: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6397599/
• publication_title: IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices
• conference_location:
• conference_dates:
• publication_number: 16
• is_number: 6415298
• publication_year: 2013
• publication_date: Feb. 2013
• start_page: 805
• end_page: 811
• citing_paper_count: 10
• citing_patent_count: 0
• download_count: 617
• insert_date: 20121228
• index_terms:
  • ieee_terms:
    • Radiation detectors
    • Signal to noise ratio
    • Image sensors
    • Quantization
    • Arrays
    • Logic gates
  • author_terms:
    • CMOS image sensor
    • dynamic range (DR)
    • pulse-frequency-modulation (PFM) pixel
    • quad sampling
    • signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
  • dynamic_index_terms:
    • Pulse Frequency Modulation
    • Dynamic Range
    • Sampling Period
    • Image Sensor
    • Camera Sensor
    • Array Size
    • Quantization Noise
    • Sample Pixels
    • Low Resolution
    • Pulse Width
    • Pulsewidth Modulation
    • Frame Rate
    • Photocurrent
    • Pulse Frequency
    • Trigger Signal
    • Pulse Signal
    • Dark Current
    • Column Samples
    • Digital Circuits
    • Digital Circuitry
    • Transfer Curves
    • Illumination Levels
    • Fourth Sample
    • Temporal Noise
    • Lower Frame
    • Low Frame Rate
    • Sensor Pixel
    • Readout Time
    • Highlighted Regions
    • Timing Diagram
• authors:
  • Author Name: Tsung-Hsun Tsai
    Affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, ONT, Canada
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/38102063500
    ID: 38102063500
    Order: 1
    Author Affiliations:
    • Department of Computer Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, ONT, Canada
  • Author Name: Richard Hornsey
    Affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, ONT, Canada
    Author URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/author/37273160700
    ID: 37273160700
    Order: 2
    Author Affiliations:
    • Department of Computer Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto, ONT, Canada

Image Sensor

• sensor_type: CMOS
• resolution: Megapixel (exact dimensions not specified)
• dynamic_range: 124 dB
• pixel_size: Not specified (6-bit counter used)
• dark_current: Not specified

Optical Data

• focal_length: Not specified
• aperture: Not specified
• field_of_view: Not specified
• distortion: Not specified

Performance Metrics

• frame_rate: 60 fps
• signal_to_noise_ratio: Max 48 dB
• noise: Quantization noise larger than pixel temporal noise by a factor of 10^2 to 10^3

Applications & Benefits

• cell_imaging: Used in various applications including surveillance, automobile, medical imaging, and professional photography
• benefits: Achieves a dynamic range of 124 dB and operates at 60 frames/s, automatic signal compression without post-processing required for display

Supporting Organizations

• supported_by: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Manuscript Details

• publication_date: Feb. 2013

Relevancy Score

• score: 10
• missing_fields:
  • pixel_size
  • focal_length
  • aperture
  • field_of_view
  • distortion
  • sensitivity
  • shutter_speed
  • power_consumption

Processed JSON Filename

request_3fb4ed30-b40f-475f-b998-b3434a1594fb-a_quadsampling_widedynamicrange_pulsefrequency_modulation_pixel.json