Photogate active pixel sensor with high fill factor and correlated double sampling

The present invention provides a high fill factor Photogate Active Pixel Architecture with the capability to perform Correlated Double Sampling, (CDS). The functionality of a 4 transistor pixel is maintained while eliminating the separate row select transistor. This is done by using the same control signal for the photogates and the Row Select signal. The preferred embodiment of the invention employs a floating diffusion as the charge to voltage conversion node and specifically envisions embodiments wherein the source of the reset transistor is a floating diffusion and the drain of the reset transistor is connected to the photogate control buss. The invention further employs a first predetermined signal combination to the photogate control buss and the reset control buss that connects the amplifier to the output signal column buss, and a predetermined second signal combination on the photogate control buss and reset control buss that enables setting the charge to voltage conversion node to a second predetermined potential that disconnects the amplifier from the output signal column buss.