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US 12,596,183 B2Granted
Sensing device and electronic device
AssigneeSony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
InventorsAkihiko Miyanohara, Hiroki Hiyama
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a sensing device that generates a distance image, a variation in distance measurement accuracy in the distance image is reduced. The sensing device includes a predetermined number of pixel circuits and a voltage control unit. Each of the predetermined number of pixel circuits includes a photoelectric conversion element and a detection circuit. A predetermined reverse bias voltage is applied between an anode and a cathode of the photoelectric conversion element. The detection circuit detects whether a photon is present or absent on the basis of a potential of either the anode or the cathode. The voltage control unit adjusts the reverse bias voltage to a value corresponding to a breakdown voltage of the photoelectric conversion element for each of the pixel circuits.
Claims14
A sensing device, comprising:
- a predetermined number of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric conversion element to which a predetermined reverse bias voltage is applied between an anode and a cathode thereof, and a detection circuit that detects whether a photon is present or absent on a basis of a potential of either the anode or the cathode;
- and
- a voltage control unit that adjusts the predetermined reverse bias voltage to a value corresponding to a breakdown voltage of the photoelectric conversion element for each of the predetermined number of pixel circuits;
- wherein the voltage control unit performs control to hold an error of the breakdown voltage with respect to a target value for each of the predetermined number of pixel circuits in the detection circuit, and apply a potential corresponding to the error to the anode;
- and
- wherein the detection circuit includes:
- a power reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and a power potential;
- a capacitor inserted between the anode and a low potential lower than a predetermined reference potential;
- an anode reset switch that opens or closes a path between both ends of the capacitor;
- a cathode reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and the predetermined reference potential;
- and a logic gate that generates a pulse signal on a basis of a potential of the cathode.
8 more elements
An electronic device, comprising:
- a light emitting unit that supplies predetermined irradiation light;
- a predetermined number of pixel circuits each including a photoelectric conversion element to which a predetermined reverse bias voltage is applied between an anode and a cathode thereof, and a detection circuit that detects whether a photon is present or absent in reflected light with respect to the predetermined irradiation light on a basis of a potential of either the anode or the cathode;
- and
- a voltage control unit that adjusts the predetermined reverse bias voltage to a value corresponding to a breakdown voltage of the photoelectric conversion element for each of the predetermined number of pixel circuits;
- wherein the voltage control unit performs control to hold an error of the breakdown voltage with respect to a target value for each of the predetermined number of pixel circuits in the detection circuit, and apply a potential corresponding to the error to the anode;
- and
- wherein the detection circuit includes:
- a power reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and a power potential;
- a capacitor inserted between the anode and a low potential lower than a predetermined reference potential;
- an anode reset switch that opens or closes a path between both ends of the capacitor;
- a cathode reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and the predetermined reference potential;
- and a logic gate that generates a pulse signal on a basis of a potential of the cathode.
9 more elements
A sensing device, comprising:
- a first pixel circuit including a first photoelectric conversion element, and a first detection circuit that detects whether a photon is present or absent on a basis of a potential of either an anode or a cathode of the first photoelectric conversion element;
- a second pixel circuit including a second photoelectric conversion element and a second detection circuit that detects whether a photon is present or absent on a basis of a potential of either an anode or a cathode of the second photoelectric conversion element;
- a first bias circuit connected to either the anode or the cathode of the first photoelectric conversion element;
- a second bias circuit connected to either the anode or the cathode of the second photoelectric conversion element;
- and
- a reference voltage supply unit that supplies different reference voltages to the first bias circuit and the second bias circuit, respectively, to supply potentials corresponding to the different reference voltage;
- wherein a voltage control unit performs control to hold an error of a breakdown voltage with respect to a target value for the first pixel circuit in the first detection circuit, and apply a potential corresponding to the error to the anode of the first photoelectric conversion element;
- and
- wherein the first detection circuit and the second detection circuit include:
- a power reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and a power potential;
- a capacitor inserted between the anode and a low potential lower than a predetermined reference potential;
- an anode reset switch that opens or closes a path between both ends of the capacitor;
- a cathode reset switch that opens or closes a path between the cathode and the predetermined reference potential;
- and a logic gate that generates a pulse signal on a basis of a potential of the cathode.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.