A Time-to-first-spike CMOS Image Sensor

Author

Xiaochuan Guo
Xin Qi
John G. Harris, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

A time-to-first spike (TTFS) imager was designed such that each pixel outputs a single digital pulse whose timing encodes pixel illumination. For still image applications, this time representation provides a tremendous increase in dynamic range, similar to that of other existing time-based imagers. However, a major advantage of the TTFS imager is that this wide dynamic range can be achieved even for 30 frames/s video applications. A prototype 32x32 TTFS image sensor was fabricated in AMI 0.5 μm CMOS technology. The prototype chip demonstrates a 104 dB dynamic range (limited by the optical equipment), 42 μV/electron conversion gain, 1.25 nA/cm² dark current, and 3.1 mW power consumption at 30 frames/s. © 2007 IEEE.

Recommended Citation

X. Guo et al., "A Time-to-first-spike CMOS Image Sensor," IEEE Sensors Journal, vol. 7, no. 8, pp. 1165 - 1175, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Aug 2007.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2007.900937

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Comments

National Science Foundation, Grant 0135946

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1530-437X

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2007