A linearity improvement method for CIS column-parallel SAR ADC using two-step conversion

This paper presents a new 2-step SAR ADC architecture for image sensors in machine vision applications. This structure effectively improves the structural problems of the image sensor caused by the area occupied by the ADC, such as linearity and temporal noise performance. In this work, we designed a two-step SAR ADC using a 6-bit SAR ADC and...

Towards a Scalable Sun Position Sensor with Monolithic Integration of the 3d Optics for Miniaturized Satellite Attitude Control

In this paper we present a sun position sensor platform with a scalable approach for the 3D integration of the sensor optics. This would facilitate the sun position sensor miniaturization, reduces fabrication cost and mitigates the need for sensor calibration. The sun position sensor platform is implemented in a seven mask BICMOS technology with...

Design and fabrication of single grain TFTs and lateral photodiodes for low dose X-ray detection

Design, fabrication and measurement results of single grain (SG) lateral PIN photodiodes and SG thin film transistors (TFT) are reported in this paper. Devices were developed to be used in indirect X-ray image sensor pixel design. We have controlled position of 6 ?m x 6 ?m silicon grains with excimer-laser crystallization of a-Si film. Lateral...

Ageing effects on image sensors due to terrestrial cosmic radiation

We analyze the “ageing” effect on image sensors introduced by neutrons present in natural (terrestrial) cosmic environment. The results obtained at sea level are corroborated for the first time with accelerated neutron beam tests and for various image sensor operation conditions. The results reveal many fascinating effects that these rays...

A new single-photon avalanche diode in 90nm standard CMOS technology

A single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) fabricated in a 90nm standard CMOS process is reported. The detector comprises an octagonal multiplication region and a guard ring to prevent premature edge breakdown using exclusively standard layers. The proposed structure is the result of a systematic study aimed at miniaturization, while optimizing...

An insect eye based image sensor with very large field of view

In this paper we discuss the design of a novel miniaturized image sensor based on the working principle of insect facet eyes. The main goals are to design an imaging system which captures a large field of view (FOV) and to find a good trade-off between image resolution and sensitivity. To capture a total FOV of 124°, we split up this FOV into 25...