CMOS Video Sensor System with Improved SNR Under Low Illumination

Video sensors currently suffer from poor quality under low illumination, because the collected photocharge is small relative to system noise, resulting in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Such systems further reduce image quality by performing "global reset"-the reset of all pixels at the beginning of each video frame-an action necessary to prevent pixel saturation. The CMOS video sensor system eliminates the need for global reset by utilizing self-reset pixel technology, in which pixels automatically reset when they reach saturation levels. In this way, the technology enables signal collection beyond the video frame rate, thereby increasing SNR and image quality without slowing the frame rate.