<title>2/3-in. 2-M-pixel CCD with progressive scan capability</title>

Abstract

High-definition charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors developed as image pickup devices for television systems so far have adopted interlaced scanning. But, it is preferable for users to have the alternative of interlaced or progressive scanning in developing applications that use image input technology for purposes other than television. This paper describes a novel CCD configuration called advanced frame interline transfer (A-FIT) that can be applied to either interlaced or progressive scanning environments by merely modifying the drive pulse of the same device. What distinguishes the A-FIT CCD imager is that, while it retains the same number of stages in the imaging area register as a CCD for interlaced scanning, it features a new storage area structure enabling the imager to support both interlaced and progressive scanning. Specifically, the vertical CCD register in the storage area is vertically partitioned down the middle to form two registers. This layout permits charges of odd-numbered lines or even- numbered lines to be shifted separately. And when the charges are transferred to the horizontal readout register, interlaced scanning results if the charges are mixed and progressive scanning results if the even and odd lines are alternated or interleaved. A prototype 2/3-inch 2-million- pixel CCD pickup was fabricated based on the novel A-FIT layout, and subjected to testing to verify its capability to perform both interlaced and progressive scanning. It was found that the CCD imager's vertical resolution was superior in progressive scan mode compared to when the chip was operated in interlaced scan mode.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.