Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Shinyeol Choi

Hoyong Na

Kyuik Cho

Kyung-min Kim

An image sensor includes a pixel array that includes a plurality of pixels, and a row driver. Each pixel includes a photodiode, a transfer gate transistor between the photodiode and a floating diffusion node, and a first transistor between the floating diffusion node and a first voltage node configured to receive a first voltage. The row driver is connected with rows of the pixels through row lines. For each pixel of a selected row among the rows, the row driver is configured to apply a second voltage to a gate of the first transistor such that the first transistor is turned on and the floating diffusion node is reset, and turn on the transfer gate transistor such that electrons integrated in the photodiode are dumped to the floating diffusion node.

Image sensor, camera module including image sensor, and operating method of image sensor

An image sensor includes a pixel array, a row driver, a detector, an analog-to-digital converter and a controller. The pixel array includes a pixel area including a pixel and a dummy area including a monitoring circuit. The dummy area is disposed on a same substrate as the pixel area. The dummy area is disposed adjacent to the pixel area. The row driver is configured to output a driving signal to the pixel and the monitoring circuit. The detector is configured to receive a monitoring signal from the monitoring circuit. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to receive an analog signal corresponding to an incident light from the pixel and to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. The controller is configured to control the row driver and the analog-to-digital converter.

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Seoul, South Korea

Shinyeol Choi