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A new method for on-chip random telegraph noise (RTN) characteristic time constant extraction using the double sampling circuit in an 8.3 Mpixel CMOS image sensor is described. The dependence of the measured RTN on the time difference between the double sampling and the key equation used for time constant extraction are derived from the continuous time RTN model and the discrete event RTN model. Both approaches lead to the same result and describe the data reasonably well. From the detailed study of the noisiest 1000 pixels, we find that about 75% to 85% of them show the signature of a single-trap RTN behavior with three distinct signal levels, and about 96% of the characteristic time constants fall between 1 μs and 500 μs with the median around 10 μs at room temperature.

The pinned photodiode capacitance extraction method proposed by Goiffon et al. is discussed, and two additional new methods are presented and analyzed; one based on the full well dependence on photon flux and the other based on the full well dependence on transfer-gate off-voltage.

The key features and performance data of a 2560 * 1960- pixel split-frame-transfer imager developed for space surveillance are described. The photocomposition approach of the imager is discussed.