Charge sampling device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the sampling of temporally changing amounts of charge () by receiving varying amounts of charge () varying as a function of time, transforming the varying amounts of charge received into a linear distribution pattern, sampling the linear distribution pattern at a plurality of discretely spaced sampling locations (), and collecting the amounts of charge () located between two adjacent scanning locations, and further detecting the collected amounts of charges (). A temporal sampling device for time-varying analog signals encompasses a transducer () in which the analog signals are converted into a corresponding electrical current, a time conversion element () in which the electronic charge packets () composing the current signal are transported in an electric field along a one-dimensional path, a fast charge-storing and accumulation mechanism with which the charge packets () on the one-dimensional path of the time conversion element () can all be stored simultaneously, so that their spatial relationship is retained, and a charge detection circuit () with which the stored charge packets () can be accessed individually and read out with an electronic circuit. In a preferred embodiment, all elements of the sampling device are monolithically integrated using a semiconductor process such as a commercially available CMOS process based on silicon. This makes it possible to provide one- and two-dimensional arrays of such sampling devices, forming line and image sensors.