Algorithm-Circuit Cross-layer Control for Digital Pixel Image Sensors

Mandovi Mukherjee, Burhan Ahmad Mudassar, Minah Lee, Saibal Mukhopadhyay

Abstract: 3D integrated digital pixel image sensors with pixel parallel processing capabilities provide opportunities for high resolution and frame rate camera platform. However, energy efficiency of digital pixel read-out circuits becomes a key performance parameter for such applications. This work presents a novel digital pixel design that utilizes cross-layer feedback to enhance energy-efficiency of digital pixel sensors. The algorithm-circuit co-simulation of 65nm CMOS 336×256 image sensor for an object detection task shows 53% active energy saving in digital pixels with minimal degradation in task accuracy.