Frame transfer CCDs for digital still cameras: concept, design, and evaluation

Author

Bosiers, Jan T. ; Kleimann, Agnes C. ; Van Kuijk, Harry C. ; Le Cam, Laurent ; Peek, Herman L. ; Maas, Joris P. ; Theuwissen, Albert J P

Author_Institution

Philips Semicond. Image Sensors, Eindhoven, Netherlands

Volume

49

Issue

3

fYear

2002

fDate

3/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

377

Lastpage

386

Abstract

Digital still cameras are becoming a widely used alternative for conventional silver-halide cameras. This paper presents first the concept of frame-transfer CCD imagers designed for consumer digital cameras. Next, the different modes of operation are explained in detail and compared with alternative approaches. Finally, extensive evaluation results on four different imagers using this new concept are presented. It will be demonstrated that the flexible modes of operation, the high dynamic range, and excellent optical properties of FT-CCDs make them very suited for this type of electronic imaging

Keywords

CCD image sensors; image resolution; image sampling; image sensors; charge capacity; consumer cameras; digital still cameras; electronic imaging; flexible operation modes; frame-transfer CCD imagers; full-resolution mode; high dynamic range; image sampling; low imager cost; monitor mode; optimal camera functions; reduced storage section; sensitivity; subsampling; Charge coupled devices; Charge-coupled image sensors; Digital cameras; Image resolution; Image sensors; Image storage; Optical films; Optical imaging; Optical sensors; Pixel;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electron Devices, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9383

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/16.987106

Filename

987106