A CMOS image sensor for high-speed imaging

Acquisition of the images of fast-moving objects requires imagers with high photoresponsivity at short integration times, synchronous exposure, and high-speed parallel readout. Previous CMOS implementations yield frame rates around 500 frames/s at integration times ranging from 75 to 200 ps, and some use rolling shutter only. This CMOS imager achieves more than 1000 frames/s with integration time in synchronous exposure variable between 1 /spl mu/s and 150 /spl mu/s. The 256/spl times/256 pixel imager is realized in a single-poly double-metal n-well 1 /spl mu/m CMOS technology.