HDTV image sensor: the pixel structure

A very high performance HDTV image sensor is presented. The device tackles successfully a few typical `HDTV-challenges´: the very high RC-values of the CCD-gates is drastically reduced by means of a new interconnect scheme, a dual horizontal output register is used to lower the output rate, the device is provided with an output amplifier characterised by low noise, high bandwidth and high conversion efficiency, and finally the imager is designed with a very compact and efficient image cell, providing the functions of photo-conversion, charge transport, highlight handling and charge reset site. Compared to the competition, an imager with a high resolution, no smear when used in the appropriate application, no image lag, simple charge reset method and a high pixel uniformity with a fully linear response is realised