Noise sources and noise suppression in CMOS imagers

Bedabrata Pain; Thomas J. Cunningham; Bruce R. Hancock

doi:10.1117/12.512281

12 January 2004 Noise sources and noise suppression in CMOS imagers

Bedabrata Pain, Thomas J. Cunningham, Bruce R. Hancock

Proceedings Volume 5167, Focal Plane Arrays for Space Telescopes; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512281
Event: Optical Science and Technology, SPIE's 48th Annual Meeting, 2003, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Mechanisms for noise coupling in CMOS imagers are complex, since unlike a CCD, a CMOS imager has to be considered as a full digital-system-on-a-chip, with a highly sensitive front-end. In this paper, we analyze the noise sources in a photodiode CMOS imager, and model their propagation through the signal chain to determine the nature and magnitude of noise coupling. We present methods for reduction of noise, and present measured data to show their viability. For temporal read noise reduction, we present pixel signal chain design techniques to achieve near 2 electrons read noise. We model the front-end reset noise both for conventional photodiode and CTIA type of pixels. For the suppression of reset noise, we present a column feedback-reset method to reduce reset noise below 6 electrons. For spatial noise reduction, we present the design of column signal chain that suppresses both spatial noise and power supply coupling noise. We conclude by identifying problems in low-noise design caused by dark current spatial distribution.

Citation Download Citation

Bedabrata Pain, Thomas J. Cunningham, and Bruce R. Hancock "Noise sources and noise suppression in CMOS imagers", Proc. SPIE 5167, Focal Plane Arrays for Space Telescopes, (12 January 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.512281

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available