A CMOS DPS image sensor architecture for improving SNR and dynamic range is presented.
The CMOS DPS architecture includes self-reset digital pixels capable of collecting
more charge than the physical well capacity. A method for improving SNR without
reducing dynamic range in a CMOS video sensor system under low illumination is
described, wherein the CMOS video sensor system employing self-reset DPS architecture
includes pixel level A/D conversion and wherein each DPS pixels is capable of resetting
itself whenever a corresponding diode reaches saturation during integration time.
