Patent ID: 9667895
Date: 2017-05-30
CPC Classifications: H04N

Claim:
1. An image sensor, comprising: a pixel array disposed in a first semiconductor die, wherein the pixel array is partitioned into a plurality of pixel sub-arrays, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel sub-arrays is arranged into a plurality of pixel groups, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel groups is arranged into a p×q array of pixel cells, wherein each one of the plurality of pixel groups includes pixel support circuitry coupled to and shared by the p×q array of pixel cells included in said each one of the plurality of pixel groups, wherein each one of the pixel cells in the p×q array of pixel cells includes a photodetector coupled to the pixel support circuitry through a transfer transistor, wherein the pixel support circuitry comprises: a plurality of readout circuits disposed in a second semiconductor die; and an interconnect layer stacked between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die, wherein the interconnect layer includes a plurality of conductors, and wherein each one of the plurality of pixel sub-arrays is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of readout circuits through a corresponding one of the plurality of conductors.