A 3D Chip Architecture for Optical Sensing and Concurrent Processing

This paper presents an architecture for the implementation of vision chips in 3-D integration technologies. This architecture employs the multi-functional pixel concept to achieve full parallel processing of the information and hence high processing speed. The top layer includes an array of optical sensors which are parallel-connected to the second layer, consisting of an array of mixed-signal read-out and pre-processing cells. Multiplexing is employed so that each mixed-signal cell handles several optical sensors. The two remaining layer are respectively a memory (used to store different multi-scale images obtained at the mixed-signal layer) and an array of digital processors. A prototype of this architecture has been implemented in a FDSOI CMOS-3D technology with Through-Silicon-Vias of 5 mu m x 5 mu m pitch.

keywords: 3-D Optical Sensors, Vision Systems, Navigation Applications