Image sensor, image acquisition apparatus, and electronic apparatus including the image acquisition apparatus for synchronization and serialization of generated pulses

An image acquisition apparatus comprising:

• a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, wherein a plurality of sub-pixels are arranged in each pixel of the plurality of pixels;
• pulse generators which are respectively connected to the plurality of sub-pixels and are configured to generate pulse signals based on electric signals generated based on photons incident on the plurality of sub-pixels;
• a synchronizer and serializer configured to synchronize and serialize pulse signals output from the pulse generators;
• a counter configured to count and output a number of the pulse signals that are synchronized and serialized;
• and
• an image sensor controller configured to generate image signals based on counting values output from counters respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels of the pixel array,
• wherein the pulse signals generated by the pulse generators correspond to photons incident on the plurality of sub-pixels at a same or overlapping timing, and
• wherein the synchronizer and serializer is further configured to:
• synchronize the pulse signals by synchronizing start timings of the pulse signals;
• and
• serialize the pulse signals by realigning the synchronized pulse signals such that the synchronized pulse signals are output at different timings.