Versatile on-chip read-out for compound-eye image sensor array

Abstract

Compound-eye image sensors offer the possibility to fabricate ultra-thin (<0.5mm) image sensors, that integrate micro-optics, photo-sensing elements and processing-circuitry on a single chip. Modeled after the compound eye found in insects and in many other arthropods, the compound-eye sensor has the possibility to generate a high resolution image from the simultaneous acquisition of a mosaic of low resolution images. In this paper, we propose a versatile read-out strategy enabling to view the scene from only a subset of microlenses. We demonstrate that this feature is very attractive in terms of power consumption and read-out speed, especially when the intended application does not require high resolution imaging. Simulation results are presented to validate the functionality of the circuit, using AMI 0.35µm CMOS technology.