Random Telegraph Signal in Semiconductor Device and Integrated Circuits

 Context

A Random Telegraph Signal (RTS) is a random process that switches alternatively between two or more discrete levels. This phenomenon has been observed in many electronic devices and can have several different physical origins. Several names are used to describe it : RTS, Random Telegraph Noise (RTN), burst noise, popcorn noise, Variable Junction Leakage (VJL) and some application specific names such as blinking pixels in CIS or Variable Retention Time (VRT) in DRAMs.

In Solid State Images Sensors, RTSs lead to bright pixels that seem to be turned on and off randomly. Such pixels are generally called blinking pixels. Because of the constant progress in the reduction of dark current and noises, this parasitic behavior is becoming the limiting factor for a growing number of high-end applications.

 Useful Tools

Please contact vincent.goiffon isae-supaero.fr if a download link does not work.

• RTS Detection and Analysis Tool
  • Executable file
  • Matlab source code file
  • Article describing the RTS detection algorithm
• RTS simulator (temporal trace and power spectral density spectrum generator)
• Displacement Damage Induced Dark Current RTS Distribution Calculator