Patent ID: 8569671

Claim:
A pixel array capable of pipelined global shutter operation and including an array of pixels, each of the pixels comprising: a photo-sensitive element for generating charges in response to incident radiation; a sense node; a transfer gate, connected between the photo-sensitive element and the sense node, for controlling transfer of charges to the sense node; a reset switch connected to the sense node for resetting the sense node to a predetermined voltage; a first buffer amplifier having an input connected to the sense node; a first sample stage connected to an output of the first buffer amplifier, which is selectively operable to sample a value of the sense node; a second sample stage connected in cascade with the first sample stage which is selectively operable to sample a value of the sense node, wherein an output of said first sample stage is connected to an input of said second sample stage; and, a second buffer amplifier having an input connected to the second sample stage, said pixel array further comprising: control circuitry arranged to cause the array of pixels to be exposed synchronously, and to read a value stored in the sample stage of one of said pixels in the array for a first exposure period while the photo-sensitive element of said one of the pixels is exposed for a second exposure period.