ABSTRACT
This chapter describes smart complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors that have dedicated pixel arrangements and related optics. It discusses the Pulse frequency modulation photosensor can achieve ultra low light detection with near-zero bias of the photodiode and can obtain a minimum detectable signal of 0.15 fA. A conventional CMOS image sensor uses a lens to focus an image onto the image plane of the sensor, where pixels are placed in an orthogonal configuration. Some applications require imaging which is difficult to achieve by using conventional image sensors, either because of limitations in their fundamental characteristics, such as speed and dynamic range, or because of the need for advanced functions such as target tracking and distance measurement. The group in Fraunhofer Institute has developed a wide dynamic range image sensor based on local brightness adaptation using a resistive network. Multiple sampling is a method to read signal charges several times and synthesize those images in one image.
