E2v Technologies (uk) Limited

Roger John Pittock

Raymond Thomas Bell

A CCD sensor has a shutter to prevent frame shift smear during transfer of an image from the image region to a store region. The CCD sensor has an extended dynamic range, because each integration is in two parts, the second part of which has a different sensitivity than the first part. In order to avoid an asymmetry in the uncovering and covering of the image region, a two-bladed shutter is used.

Shutter for CCD imager

A CCD such as a frame transfer CCD has an extended dynamic range. The image built up in the image regionin each integration period is transferred to the store regionin each frame transfer period, for example, at a TV signal rate. The dynamic range is increased by dividing the integration period into two parts, and clipping the signal in the first part, but not in the second. The signal is clipped by pulsing the clock electrodes of the image region so as to combine the charges from adjacent wells together, overspill being drained into the anti-blooming structure, consequently reducing well capacity.

Growing community of inventors

Essex, United Kingdom

Roger John Pittock