A high performance read-out IC design for IR image sensor applications

Sang Jun Hwang, Ho Hyun Shin, Eun Sik Jung, Man Young Sung

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We propose a high performance ROIC for IR image sensor applications. Because a micro bolometer image sensor, used in an IR image sensor, is made by a MEMS process, the resistance of bolometers by each process does not appear same value under same IR energy incident condition. This resistance variation generates a different output signal for same input by each chip. Instead of a single input mode, we used a differential input mode to the proposed ROIC and thus, a new circuit structure that has high immunity to the process variations of micro bolometer was invented. This result is due to the characteristics of the differential input mode that suppress the commonly appeared error and amplify the differentially applied signal. Using results from a computer simulation, improvement such as that the effect of the process error on the bolometer's resistance was decreased 10-12% without an additional compensation circuit was found. Moreover we had analyzed the results by numerical methods and found that it is possible to control the gain and compensation ability by design the capacitors of the integrator appropriately. A full chip including a ROIC and a micro bolometer with 16×16 cell arrays was designed and implemented in standard 0.25um CMOS process.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMicroelectronics
Subtitle of host publicationDesign, Technology, and Packaging III
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
EventMicroelectronics: Design, Technology, and Packaging III - Canberra, ACT, Australia
Duration: 2007 Dec 52007 Dec 7

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume6798
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Other

OtherMicroelectronics: Design, Technology, and Packaging III
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityCanberra, ACT
Period07/12/507/12/7

Keywords

  • IR image sensor
  • Micro bolometer
  • Process variation
  • ROIC

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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