Frame transfer area array sensor with vertical antiblooming and novel readout for enhanced performance

A novel architectural design for use in multiple output Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Imagers has been developed to eliminate 'first pixel' video signal nonuniformities and enhance charge conversion efficiency. This technique makes use of a flared architecture at the parallel to serial transfer region in the image sensor to provide additional space for extra isolation readout pixels and an optimized charge conversion node. A four (4) output frame transfer array has been fabricated with this architecture. Test results show excellent performance.