Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation

Semi-Conductor Devices-an Elbit Systems-Rafael Partnership

Elad Ilan

Itai Shvartz

Shimon Elkind

Roman Dobromislin

A time-of-flight device comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in an array, respective ones of the plurality of pixel circuits including a first photodiode configured to selectively output two analog signals respectively via two paths, and including a second photodiode configured to selectively output two analog signals respectively via two paths; a signal line coupled to the first photodiode and a second photodiode; and processing circuitry including: a comparator configured to compare a voltage of the signal line with a reference signal and to output a comparison result, and a counter configured to perform a count based on the comparison result in response to a count control signal, wherein the count control signal is configured to switch the counter between an up count mode and a down count mode while a count value is held in the counter.

I, Q counter circuit and method for time-of-flight image sensor

A time-of-flight image sensor (TOF) for imaging with ambient light subtraction. In one embodiment, the TOF image sensor includes a pixel array, a control circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit reads out a first data signal from respective first floating diffusions and respective second floating diffusions during a first frame while a light generator is not emitting, reads out a second data signal from the respective first floating diffusions and the respective second floating diffusions during a second frame after the first integration and after a second integration while the light generator is emitting, generate a third data signal indicative of ambient light, generate a fourth data signal indicative of the ambient light and a light signal reflected off an object, and generate a fifth data signal indicative of the light signal by subtracting the third data signal from the fourth data signal.

Imaging with ambient light subtraction

A pixel readout circuit for use with an imaging pixel array, comprising: an input channel for receiving an image signal corresponding to an electrical output of a photosensitive element of the pixel; and an electronic circuit interconnected between an input channel and an output readout utility. The electronic circuit comprises a capacitive unit, and a single analyzer. The capacitive unit is controllably linked to the input channel for accumulating a charge corresponding to received intensity generated by the pixel during a single frame period, and is connected to the output readout utility.

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Western Galilee, Israel

Elad Ilan