Image sensors and methods to construct and use image sensors are disclosed.
In an example, an image sensor includes a pixel array, a data store to store data
transmitted from the pixel array, an image signal processing unit to perform signal
processing on the output of the data store to improve the performance of the image
sensor, a defective pixel address storage unit to store an address of a defective
pixel by using a fuse blowing technology, a controller for receiving address information
of the defective pixels from the defective pixel address storage unit and controlling
the operation of the image sensor, and a defective pixel compensation unit for
receiving the address information of the defective pixels from the defective pixel
address storage unit, substituting data of the defective pixels with data of normal
pixels around the defective pixels, and providing the substituted data to the image
signal processing unit.