Morton (Z) scan based real-time variable resolution CMOS image sensor

An image sensor architecture with an alternative image scan method, based on Morton (Z) order, is presented. This scan, compared to the conventional row scan, enables faster and efficient average computation of square image blocks. Digital averaging is used and the pixel data is read out with either the original resolution, a 2 /spl times/ 2 or a 4 /spl times/ 4 block averaging. A test chip of 128 /spl times/ 128 array has been implemented in 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, has 15% fill factor, is operated by a 3.3-V supply and dissipates 30 mW at video rate.