A Fundamental Study of Wide Dynamic Range Imaging by using a Selectable-capacitance Variable-sensitivity Image Sensor

Abstract

A variable-sensitivity image sensor aims at linear dynamic range expansion of conventional image sensors by adopting an area-based sensitivity adjustment of the focal plane. By using 0.6 μ m-CMOS technology, we made the first prototype of a variable sensitivity image sensor. The sensor can change the photo response by 6dB for row direction only. In addition, we took a picture of a scene for which setting appropriate exposure with conventional frame-based sensitivity adjustment methods is difficult. By using the row-based sensitivity adjustment method of the prototype imaging system with a variable-sensitivity sensor chip, captureing the image was easier.