Patent Abstract:
A method of operation of a backside illuminated (BSI) pixel array includes acquiring an image signal with a first photosensitive region of a first pixel within the BSI pixel array. The image signal is generated in response to light incident upon a backside of the first pixel. The image signal acquired by the first photosensitive region is transferred to pixel circuitry of the first pixel disposed on a frontside of the first pixel opposite the backside. The pixel circuitry at least partially overlaps the first photosensitive region of the first pixel and extends over die real estate above a second photosensitive region of a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel such that the second pixel donates die real estate unused by the second pixel to the first pixel to accommodate larger pixel circuitry than would fit within the first pixel.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/053,476, filed on Mar. 21, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/027,356, filed on Feb. 8, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to image sensors, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to backside illumination CMOS image sensors. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional frontside illuminated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) imaging pixel  100 . The frontside of imaging pixel  100  is the side of substrate  105  upon which the pixel circuitry is disposed and over which metal stack  110  for redistributing signals is formed. The metal layers (e.g., metal layer M 1  and M 2 ) are patterned in such a manner as to create an optical passage through which light incident on the frontside of imaging pixel  100  can reach the photosensitive or photodiode (“PD”) region  115 . The frontside may further include a color filter layer to implement a color sensor and a microlens to focus the light onto PD region  115 . 
         [0004]    Imaging pixel  100  includes pixel circuitry disposed within pixel circuitry region  125  adjacent to PD region  115 . This pixel circuitry provides a variety of functionality for regular operation of imaging pixel  100 . For example, pixel circuitry region  125  may include circuitry to commence acquisition of an image charge within PD region  115 , to reset the image charge accumulated within PD region  115  to ready imaging pixel  100  for the next image, or to transfer out the image data acquired by imaging pixel  100 . As illustrated, in a frontside illuminated configuration, pixel circuitry region  125  is positioned immediately adjacent to PD region  115 . Consequently, pixel circuitry region  125  consumes valuable real estate within imaging pixel  100  at the expense of PD region  115 . Reducing the size of PD region  115  to accommodate the pixel circuitry reduces the fill factor of imaging pixel  100  thereby reducing the amount of pixel area that is sensitive to light, and reducing low light performance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional view of a conventional frontside illuminated imaging pixel. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a backside illuminated imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a circuit diagram illustrating pixel circuitry of two 4T pixels within a backside illuminated imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a circuit diagram illustrating pixel circuitry of an active pixel sensor including analog-to-digital conversion circuitry within a backside illuminated imaging system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a hybrid cross sectional/circuit illustration of a backside illuminated imaging pixel with overlapping pixel circuitry, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a process for operating a backside illuminated imaging pixel with overlapping pixel circuitry, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Embodiments of a system and method for operation of a backside illuminated image sensor with overlapping pixel circuitry are described herein. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the techniques described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects. 
         [0013]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0014]    Throughout this specification, several terms of art are used. These terms are to take on their ordinary meaning in the art from which they come, unless specifically defined herein or the context of their use would clearly suggest otherwise. The term “overlapping” is defined herein with reference to the surface normal of a semiconductor die. Two elements disposed on a die are said to be “overlapping” if a line drawn through a cross section of the semiconductor die running parallel with the surface normal intersects the two elements. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a backside illuminated imaging system  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The illustrated embodiment of imaging system  200  includes a pixel array  205 , readout circuitry  210 , function logic  215 , and control circuitry  220 . 
         [0016]    Pixel array  205  is a two-dimensional (“2D”) array of backside illuminated imaging sensors or pixels (e.g., pixels P 1 , P 2  . . . , Pn). In one embodiment, each pixel is a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (“CMOS”) imaging pixel. As illustrated, each pixel is arranged into a row (e.g., rows R 1  to Ry) and a column (e.g., column C 1  to Cx) to acquire image data of a person, place, or object, which can then be used to render a 2D image of the person, place, or object. 
         [0017]    After each pixel has acquired its image data or image charge, the image data is readout by readout circuitry  210  and transferred to function logic  215 . Readout circuitry  210  may include amplification circuitry, analog-to-digital (“ADC”) conversion circuitry, or otherwise. Function logic  215  may simply store the image data or even manipulate the image data by applying post image effects (e.g., crop, rotate, remove red eye, adjust brightness, adjust contrast, or otherwise). In one embodiment, readout circuitry  210  may readout a row of image data at a time along readout column lines (illustrated) or may readout the image data using a variety of other techniques (not illustrated), such as a serial readout or a full parallel readout of all pixels simultaneously. 
         [0018]    Control circuitry  220  is coupled to pixel array  205  to control operational characteristic of pixel array  205 . For example, control circuitry  220  may generate a shutter signal for controlling image acquisition. In one embodiment, the shutter signal is a global shutter signal for simultaneously enabling all pixels within pixel array  205  to simultaneously capture their respective image data during a single acquisition window. In an alternative embodiment, the shutter signal is a rolling shutter signal whereby each row, column, or group of pixels is sequentially enabled during consecutive acquisition windows. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a circuit diagram illustrating pixel circuitry  300  of two four-transistor (“4T”) pixels within a backside illuminated imaging array, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Pixel circuitry  300  is one possible pixel circuitry architecture for implementing each pixel within pixel array  200  of  FIG. 2 . However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention are not limited to 4T pixel architectures; rather, one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure will understand that the present teachings are also applicable to 3T designs, 5T designs, and various other pixel architectures. 
         [0020]    In  FIG. 3A , pixels Pa and Pb are arranged in two rows and one column. The illustrated embodiment of each pixel circuitry  300  includes a photodiode PD, a transfer transistor T 1 , a reset transistor T 2 , a source-follower (“SF”) transistor T 3 , a select transistor T 4 , and a storage capacitor C 1 . During operation, transfer transistor T 1  receives a transfer signal TX, which transfers the charge accumulated in photodiode PD to a floating diffusion node FD. In one embodiment, floating diffusion node FD may be coupled to a storage capacitor for temporarily storing image charges. 
         [0021]    Reset transistor T 2  is coupled between a power rail VDD and the floating diffusion node FD to reset the pixel (e.g., discharge or charge the FD and the PD to a preset voltage) under control of a reset signal RST. The floating diffusion node FD is coupled to control the gate of SF transistor T 3 . SF transistor T 3  is coupled between the power rail VDD and select transistor T 4 . SF transistor T 3  operates as a source-follower providing a high impedance connection to the floating diffusion FD. Finally, select transistor T 4  selectively couples the output of pixel circuitry  300  to the readout column line under control of a select signal SEL. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the TX signal, the RST signal, and the SEL signal are generated by control circuitry  220 . In an embodiment where pixel array  205  operates with a global shutter, the global shutter signal is coupled to the gate of each transfer transistor T 1  in the entire pixel array  205  to simultaneously commence charge transfer from each pixel&#39;s photodiode PD. Alternatively, rolling shutter signals may be applied to groups of transfer transistors T 1 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3B  is a circuit diagram illustrating pixel circuitry  301  using an active pixel sensor (“APS”) architecture including an integrated analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”)  305 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Pixel circuitry  301  is another possible pixel circuitry architecture for implementing each pixel within pixel array  200  of  FIG. 2 . The APS architecture illustrated includes only two transistors (reset transistor T 2  and select transistor T 4 ); however, if the ADC  305  were not integrated into pixel circuitry  301 , then SF transistor T 3  would be included and pixel circuitry  301  would be referred to as a 3T pixel design. It should be appreciated that  FIG. 3B  is just one possible implementation of integrating an ADC into a pixel and that other implementations may be used with embodiments of the invention. For example, an ADC may be incorporated into the 4T design illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
         [0024]    The illustrated embodiment of pixel circuitry  301  includes a PD, a reset transistor T 2 , a select transistor T 4 , and ADC  305 . The illustrated embodiment of ADC  305  includes a comparator (“COMP”)  310 , a counter  315 , and memory  320 . During operation, ADC  305  may operate to convert the analog image charge accumulated by the PD into image data having a digital value representation prior to output on the column bus by select transistor T 4 . Memory  320  is a multi-bit register (e.g., 8 bit, 16 bit, 20 bit, etc.) for temporarily storing the digital image data. In one embodiment, the pixel circuitry of each pixel P 1  to Pn within pixel array  205  includes its own ADC  305 . In one embodiment, two or more adjacent pixels may share one or more components of ADC  305 . In a sharing embodiment, the circuitry of a shared ADC  305  may overlap two or more adjacent pixels. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a hybrid cross sectional/circuit illustration of a backside illuminated imaging pixel  400  with overlapping pixel circuitry, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Imaging pixel  400  is one possible implementation of pixels P 1  to Pn within pixel array  205 . The illustrated embodiment of imaging pixel  400  includes a substrate  405 , a color filter  410 , a microlens  415 , a PD region  420 , an interlinking diffusion region  425 , a pixel circuitry region  430 , pixel circuitry layers  435 , and a metal stack  440 . The illustrated embodiment of pixel circuitry region  430  includes a 4T pixel (other pixel designs may be substituted), as well as other circuitry  431  (e.g., gain circuitry, ADC circuitry, gamma control circuitry, exposure control circuitry, etc.), disposed over a diffusion well  445 . A floating diffusion  450  is disposed within diffusion well  445  and coupled between transfer transistor T 1  and the gate of SF transistor T 3 . The illustrated embodiment of metal stack  440  includes two metal layers M 1  and M 2  separated by intermetal dielectric layers  441  and  443 . Although  FIG. 4  illustrates only a two layer metal stack, metal stack  440  may include more or less layers for routing signals over the frontside of pixel array  205 . In one embodiment, a passivation or pinning layer  470  is disposed over interlinking diffusion region  425 . Finally, shallow trench isolations (“STI”) isolate imaging pixel  400  from adjacent pixels (not illustrated). 
         [0026]    As illustrated, imaging pixel  400  is photosensitive to light  480  incident on the backside of its semiconductor die. By using a backside illuminated sensor, pixel circuitry region  430  can be positioned in an overlapping configuration with photodiode region  420 . In other words, pixel circuitry  300  can be placed adjacent to interlinking diffusion region  425  and between photodiode region  420  and the die frontside without obstructing light  480  from reaching photodiode region  420 . By placing the pixel circuitry in an overlapping configuration with photodiode region  420 , as opposed to side-by-side configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , photodiode region  420  no longer competes for valuable die real estate with the pixel circuitry. Rather, pixel circuitry region  430  can be enlarged to accommodate additional or larger components without detracting from the fill factor of the image sensor. Embodiments of the present invention enable other circuits  431 , such as gain control or ADC circuitry (e.g., ADC  305 ), to be placed in close proximity to their respective photodiode region  420  without decreasing the sensitivity of the pixel. By inserting gain control and ADC circuitry in close proximity to each PD region  420 , circuit noise can be reduced and noise immunity improved due to shorter electrical interconnections between PD region  420  and the additional in-pixel circuitry. Furthermore, the backside illumination configuration provides greater flexibility to route signals over the frontside of pixel array  205  within metal stack  440  without interfering with light  480 . In one embodiment, the shutter signal is routed within metal stack  440  to the pixels within pixel array  205 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, pixel circuit regions  430  over PD regions  420  of adjacent pixels within pixel array  205  can be grouped to create communal die real estate. This communal die real estate can support shared circuitry (or inter-pixel circuitry) in addition to the basic 3T, 4T, 5T, etc. pixel circuitry. Alternatively, some pixels can donate their unused die real estate above their PD regions  420  to an adjacent pixel requiring additional pixel circuitry space for larger or more advanced in-pixel circuitry. Accordingly, in some embodiments, other circuitry  431  may overlap two or more PD regions  420  and may even be shared by one or more pixels. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, substrate  405  is doped with P type dopants. In this case, substrate  405  and the epitaxial layers grown thereon may be referred to as a P substrate. In a P type substrate embodiment, diffusion well  445  is a P+ well implant while photodiode region  420 , interlinking diffusion region  425 , and floating diffusion  450  are N type doped. Floating diffusion  450  is doped with an opposite conductivity type dopant as diffusion well  445  to generate a p-n junction within diffusion well  445 , thereby electrically isolating floating diffusion  450 . In an embodiment where substrate  405  and the epitaxial layers thereon are N type, diffusion well  445  is also N type doped, while photodiode region  420 , interlinking diffusion region  425 , and floating diffusion  450  have an opposite P type conductivity. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a process  500  for operating BSI imaging pixel  400 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Process  500  illustrates the operation of a single pixel within pixel array  205 ; however, it should be appreciated that process  500  may be sequentially or concurrently executed by each pixel in pixel array  205  depending upon whether a rolling shutter or global shutter is used. The order in which some or all of the process blocks appear in process  500  should not be deemed limiting. Rather, one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure will understand that some of the process blocks may be executed in a variety of orders not illustrated. 
         [0030]    In a process block  505 , photodiode PD (e.g., photodiode region  420 ) is reset. Resetting includes discharging or charging photodiode PD to a predetermined voltage potential, such as VDD. The reset is achieved by asserting both the RST signal to enable reset transistor T 2  and asserting the TX signal to enable transfer transistor T 1 . Enabling T 1  and T 2  couples photodiode region  420 , interlinking diffusion region  425 , and floating diffusion  450  to power rail VDD. 
         [0031]    Once reset, the RST signal and the TX signal are de-asserted to commence image acquisition by photodiode region  420  (process block  510 ). Light  480  incident on the backside of imaging pixel  400  is focused by microlens  415  through color filter  410  onto the backside of photodiode region  420 . Color filter  410  operates to filter the incident light  480  into component colors (e.g., using a Bayer filter mosaic or color filter array). The incident photons cause charge to accumulate within the diffusion region of the photodiode. 
         [0032]    Once the image acquisition window has expired, the accumulated charge within photodiode region  420  is transferred via the transfer transistor T 1  to the floating diffusion  450  by asserting the TX signal (process block  515 ). In the case of a global shutter, the global shutter signal is asserted simultaneously, as the TX signal, to all pixels within pixel array  205  during process block  515 . This results in a global transfer of the image data accumulated by each pixel into the pixel&#39;s corresponding floating diffusion  450 . 
         [0033]    Once the image data is transferred, the TX signal is de-asserted to isolate floating diffusion  450  from PD region  420  for readout. In a process block  520 , the SEL signal is asserted to transfer the stored image data onto the readout column for output to the function logic  215  via readout circuitry  210 . It should be appreciated that readout may occur on a per row basis via column lines (illustrated), on a per column basis via row lines (not illustrated), on a per pixel basis (not illustrated), or by other logical groupings. Once the image data of all pixels has been readout, process  500  returns to process block  505  to prepare for the next image. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, other circuitry  431  may include a storage capacitor coupled to FD  450  to temporarily store the image charge so that post image acquisition processing may be executed within each pixel prior to readout in process block  520 . Such circuitry may include gain circuitry, ADC circuitry, or otherwise. Other circuitry  431  may even include exposure control circuitry and gamma control circuitry. The overlapping BSI configuration provides room within each pixel to enable such intra-pixel processing without sacrificing the fill factor of pixel  400 . 
         [0035]    The processes explained above are described in terms of computer software and hardware. The techniques described may constitute machine-executable instructions embodied within a machine (e.g., computer) readable storage medium, that when executed by a machine will cause the machine to perform the operations described. Additionally, the processes may be embodied within hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) or the like. 
         [0036]    A machine-readable storage medium includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores) information in a form accessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personal digital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one or more processors, etc.). For example, a machine-readable storage medium includes recordable/non-recordable media (e.g., read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, etc.). 
         [0037]    The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. 
         [0038]    These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7