Image sensors and optical devices

Which correctly describes how a CCD image sensor reads out its signal?

  1. APixel charges are transferred in sequence like a bucket brigade and converted to voltage at the output
  2. BEach pixel's amplifier converts charge to voltage, and pixels are read row by row
  3. CLight is converted directly into a digital signal
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Answer: A. Pixel charges are transferred in sequence like a bucket brigade and converted to voltage at the output

A CCD transfers the charge stored in its pixels like a bucket brigade by switching electrode voltages in sequence, and converts it to voltage with a single amplifier at the output. Its images have low noise, but it requires high-voltage drive, consumes more power and is hard to integrate with peripheral circuits, so CMOS image sensors are now mainstream.

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