Skip to main content

High Dynamic Range Image Sensors in Thin Film on ASIC Technology for Automotive Applications

  • Conference paper

Part of the book series: VDI-Buch ((VDI-BUCH))

Abstract

TFA (Thin Film on ASIC) image sensors consist of an amorphous silicon based optical detector on top of an ASIC which performs signal readout and signal processing. In this paper recent results on TFA prototypes are presented. The detector multilayer was deposited by PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition) in a cluster deposition system, whereas for the ASIC a standard 0.7 μm CMOS process was employed. Focus is put on two locally adaptive sensor arrays that allow the control of sensitivity for each pixel individually. These types of sensors are ideally suited for automotive vision systems, since they do not exhibit certain disadvantages inherent to devices using logarithmic data compression or global sensitivity control and image fusion. Moreover, the reduced chip size of vertically integrated TFA devices leads to a significant reduction of manufacturing costs in comparison to CMOS imagers. In addition to the locally adaptive arrays simpler devices with global sensitivity control and a concept for color recognition in TFA devices are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. S. E. Kemeny, E.-S. Eid, S. Mendis, E. R. Fossum, “Update on Focal-Plane Image Processing Research,” Charge-Coupled Devices and Solid-State Optical Sensors II, Proc. SPIE, vol. 1447, pp. 243–250, 1991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S. K. Mendis, S. E. Kemeny, R. C. Gee, B. Pain, C. O. Staller, Q. Kim, E. R. Fossum, “CMOS Active Pixel Image Sensors for Highly Integrated Imaging Systems,” IEEE J. Solid-State Circuits, vol. 32, pp. 187–197, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. R. Elston (ed.), “Astrophysics with IR-Arrays,” Astronom. Soc. of the Pacific Conference Series, San Francisco, vol. 15, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  4. J. Giehl, H. Stiebig, P. Rieve, M. Bohm, “Thin Film on ASIC (TFA)-Color Sensors -New Applications of Optical Thin Film Detectors,” G.Hecht, J. Hahn, DGM Informationsgesellschaft Oberursel mbH, Oberursel, pp. 560–563, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  5. P. Rieve, J. Giehl, Q. Zhu, M. Bohm, “a-Si:H Photo Diode with Variable Spectral Sensitivity,” Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 420, pp. 135–140, 1996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Sensors, H. Reichl, A. Heuberger, Micro System Technologies’94, VDE- Verlag, Berlin, pp. 783-, 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  7. H. Fischer, J. Schulte, P. Rieve, M. Bohm, “Technology and Performance of TFA (Thin Film on ASIC)- Sensors,” Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 336, pp. 867–872, 1994.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. B. Dierickx, D. Scheffer, G. Meynants, W. Ogiers, J. Vlummens, “Random Addressable Active Pixel Image Sensors,” AFPAEC Europto Berlin, Proc. SPIE, vol. 1950, p. 1, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  9. T. Lule, H. Fischer, S. Benthien, H. Keller, M. Sommer, J. Schulte, P. Rieve, M. Bohm, “Image Sensor with Per-Pixel Programmable Sensitivity in TFA Technology,” H. Reichl, A. Heuberger, Micro System Technologies ’96, VDE-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 675-, 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  10. B. Schneider, H. Fischer, S. Benthien, H. Keller, T. Lule, P. Rieve, M. Sommer, J. Schulte, M. Bohm, “TFA Image Sensors: From the One-Transistor Cell to a Locally Adaptive High Dynamic Range Sensor,” Tech. Digest IEDM 97, pp. 209–212, 1997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bildsensor mit hoher Dynamik,” patent pending, PCT/EP 97/05 306, 29. 09. 1997.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Böhm, M. et al. (1998). High Dynamic Range Image Sensors in Thin Film on ASIC Technology for Automotive Applications. In: Ricken, D.E., Gessner, W. (eds) Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications 98. VDI-Buch. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72146-5_15

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-72146-5_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-72148-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-72146-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics