CCD imaging array with improved charge sensing circuit

1. An imaging array comprising:

a CCD imaging array comprising a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light;

a readout amplifier comprising

an operational amplifier having an input and an output port and a feedback capacitor connecting said input and output ports;

a variable impedance path between said input and output ports, said path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal;

a reset signal generator that generates said reset signal, said reset signal having three sequential phases, a first phase in which said path has a first impedance, a second phase in which said path has an impedance greater than a second impedance, and a third phase in which said path has an impedance greater than a cut-off impedance, said second impedance being greater than said first impedance; and

a shift register that sequentially shifts said charge accumulated by each pixel into said input port, said reset signal generator applying said reset signal prior to each charge being shifted into said input port, wherein said readout amplifier generates an output indicative of said charge shifted into said input pert during said third phase.

2. The imaging array of claim 1 wherein

said variable impedance path comprises a transistor having a source and drain connected respectively to said input and output ports, and wherein said first phase comprises a signal having an amplitude sufficient to cause said transistor to provide a path having an impedance that is less than ten thousand ohms.

3. The imaging array of claim 2 wherein said second phase comprises a continuously changing potential from said amplitude of said first signal to a potential that causes said transistor to have an impedance greater than said cut-off impedance.

4. The imaging array of claim 1 wherein said feedback capacitor comprises a capacitor array having a first node connected to said input port and a second node connected to said output port, said capacitor array comprising a plurality of capacitors in which each capacitor has a capacitance that is greater than the capacitance between said first and second nodes.

5. The imaging array of claim 1 further comprising a first sample and hold circuit for recording a potential at said output port at the end of said third phase but before said charge is shifted into said input port;

a second sample and hold circuit for recording a potential at said output port after said charge is shifted into said input port;

a subtraction circuit for subtracting said potentials recorded by said first and second sample and hold circuits.

6. A method for reading out a CCD imaging array comprising a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light, said imaging array including a readout amplifier having

an operational amplifier having an input and an output port and a feedback capacitor connecting said input and output ports; and

a variable impedance path between said input and output ports, said path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal, said method comprising:

causing said variable impedance path to provide a first impedance for a first period of time;

causing said variable impedance path to provide a second impedance for a second period of time;

causing said variable impedance path to provide a third impedance for a third period of time;

inputting said charge from one of said pixels into said input port during said third period of time;

measuring a signal at said output port during said third period of time, wherein

said first impedance is less than said second impedance and wherein said third impedance is greater than a cut-off impedance.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising recording a first potential at said output port at the end of said second period of time;

recording a second potential at said output port after said charge is shifted into said input port; and

subtracting said first and second potentials.