An image sensor may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns. The columns of pixels are coupled to corresponding delta sigma modulators. Each group of delta sigma modulators may be coupled to a column memory circuit. The column memory circuit may receive bits serially from each pixel column in the group. Once all bits in a bit stream from each pixel column have been stored into the column memory circuit, the column memory circuit may output one bit stream at a time to a shared filter circuit. The shared filter circuit may process an entire bit stream associated with a given column in one cycle. Sharing the filter circuit among multiple pixel columns can dramatically reduce circuit area for the image sensor.

One or more systems and/or methods for implementing an analog-to-digital converter system with a floating digital channel configuration are provided. An analog input component is configured to receive measured analog signals, and output analog signals, corresponding to the measured analog signals, to an analog channel coupled to the analog input component. The analog channel is coupled to a switching component connected to a first digital channel and a second digital channel. The analog channel comprises a modulator configured to convert the analog signals into a data stream selectively input by the switching component to the first digital channel or the second digital channel.

In an embodiment, an ADC converter includes a first injection branch and a second injection branch, a first feedback branch and a second feedback branch, an integration node connected to the first and second injection branches and the first and second feedback branches, an integrator connected to the integration node and a comparator connected downstream of the integrator and configured to generate a comparator output signal to control the first and second feedback branches, wherein the first and second injection branches are configured to provide a charge injection dependent on a respective input quantity to the integration node, wherein the input quantity of the first injection branch is selected from a differential voltage signal, a capacitance dependent signal and a current dependent signal, wherein the input quantity of the second injection branch is selected from another one of the differential voltage signal, the capacitance dependent signal and the current dependent signal, and wherein the first and second feedback branches are configured to provide a feedback charge injection dependent on the comparator output signal to the integration node, the first and second feedback branches configured to receive one of a fixed voltage signal or a differential voltage signal.

Apparatuses and methods for analog-digital conversion and corresponding systems having a sensor and an apparatus of this type are provided. Demodulation is executed with no variable preamplification, followed by continuous-time analog-digital conversion, at least in time segments, which further employs chopper techniques.

Apparatuses and methods for analog-digital conversion and corresponding systems having a sensor and an apparatus of this type are provided. Demodulation is executed with no variable preamplification, followed by continuous-time analog-digital conversion, at least in time segments, which further employs chopper techniques.

One or more systems and/or methods for implementing an analog-to-digital converter system with a floating digital channel configuration are provided. An analog input component is configured to receive measured analog signals, and output analog signals, corresponding to the measured analog signals, to an analog channel coupled to the analog input component. The analog channel is coupled to a switching component connected to a first digital channel and a second digital channel. The analog channel comprises a modulator configured to convert the analog signals into a data stream selectively input by the switching component to the first digital channel or the second digital channel.

An image sensor may include an array of image pixels arranged in rows and columns. The columns of pixels are coupled to corresponding delta sigma modulators. Each group of delta sigma modulators may be coupled to a column memory circuit. The column memory circuit may receive bits serially from each pixel column in the group. Once all bits in a bit stream from each pixel column have been stored into the column memory circuit, the column memory circuit may output one bit stream at a time to a shared filter circuit. The shared filter circuit may process an entire bit stream associated with a given column in one cycle. Sharing the filter circuit among multiple pixel columns can dramatically reduce circuit area for the image sensor.

An analog-to-digital converter, ADC, module is configured to operate in a coarse conversion ADC phase, and a fine conversion ADC phase comprising a delta modulation loop for tracking a signal, wherein the ADC module is configured to, at initiation of input of an analog signal, operate in the coarse conversion ADC phase for determining a coarse digital value; wherein the ADC module is configured to, when the coarse digital value is determined, operate in the fine conversion ADC phase, receive the coarse digital value as an initial approximation of the analog signal and track the analog signal during a finite duration.

An analog-to-digital converter, ADC, module is configured to operate in a coarse conversion ADC phase, and a fine conversion ADC phase comprising a delta modulation loop for tracking a signal, wherein the ADC module is configured to, at initiation of input of an analog signal, operate in the coarse conversion ADC phase for determining a coarse digital value; wherein the ADC module is configured to, when the coarse digital value is determined, operate in the fine conversion ADC phase, receive the coarse digital value as an initial approximation of the analog signal and track the analog signal during a finite duration.

Disclosed is an image sensor including pixels, and an analog digital converter configured to select output values of the pixels using an analog multiplexer and to simultaneously perform a convolution operation and conversion into a digital signal using a delta-sigma ADC. The size of processed data is reduced, and power consumption is reduced, and thus the image sensor is advantageously applied to a portable device.