Patent ID: 8072364
Filing Date: 2011-12-06
Classification: G11C,H03M

Abstract:
1. A method for operating a floating diffusion as a charge storage node comprising: (a) coupling an input of a buffer circuit to the charge storage node; (b) coupling an output of the buffer circuit to a first known high voltage; (c) transferring a signal charge onto the charge storage node subsequent to step (b), such that the output of the buffer circuit is coupled to the first known high voltage state prior to transferring signal charge onto the charge storage node; (d) subsequent to step (c), coupling the output of the buffer circuit to a second known high voltage, the second known voltage being independent of the signal charge; and (e) transferring the signal charge off of the charge storage node subsequent to step (d), such that the output of the buffer circuit is returned to the second known high voltage state prior to transferring the signal charge off of the charge storage node.