Patent ID: 8987788
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. An image sensor comprising: an imaging array of photosensitive regions arranged in columns, the imaging array having a top side, a right side, a bottom side, and a left side; a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices (VCCDs) each associated with a column of the photosensitive regions; a horizontal CCD for receiving charge from the plurality of VCCDs; disposed over the plurality of VCCDs, a plurality of groups of gate conductors for controlling transfer of charge within the plurality of VCCDs, each group being responsive to a different phase-control signal, and each gate conductor having a first resistivity; a plurality of bus lines, each bus line conducting a different phase-control signal to a different group of gate conductors and extending along two or more adjacent sides of the imaging array; disposed over the plurality of gate conductors in a first direction, a plurality of vertical strapping lines each (i) electrically connected to one of the bus lines on a first side of the imaging array and (ii) having a second resistivity less than the first resistivity; extending over the plurality of gate conductors in a second direction not parallel to the first direction, a plurality of horizontal strapping lines each (i) electrically connected to one of the bus lines on a second side of the imaging array and (ii) having a third resistivity less than the first resistivity; and a plurality of contacts each electrically connecting a vertical strapping line to a horizontal strapping line to form a plurality of strapping grids each (i) comprising one or more vertical strapping lines and one or more horizontal strapping lines, (ii) electrically connected to a different bus line, and (iii) electrically connected to a different group of gate conductors.