Amplification type solid-state image pickup device driving method

An amplification type solid-state image pickup device driving method for driving an amplification type solid-state image pickup device which comprises

• a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, and
• a transfer transistor for transferring signal charge of the photoelectric conversion element,
• wherein signals derived from the respective pixels are amplified and outputted to a signal line common to the pixels, and
• wherein:
• a plurality of pixel groups each comprising a plurality of pixels are set;
• switched capacitor amplification parts are provided in correspondence to the pixel groups, respectively;
• each of the switched capacitor amplification parts has
• a charge detection node to which output terminals of the transfer transistors of a corresponding one of the pixel groups are connected in common,
• an amplification part to which a signal on the charge detection node is to be inputted,
• a reset transistor connected between the charge detection node and an output terminal of the amplification part,
• a first capacitance element connected between the charge detection node and the output terminal of the amplification part, and
• a select transistor connected between the output terminal of the amplification part and the signal line, and;
• a load part common to the switched capacitor amplification parts is connected between the signal line and power supply of a specified voltage so as to be combined with the amplification parts of the switched capacitor amplification parts to make up inverting amplifiers, respectively;
• the method comprising:
• a first step of turning on the reset transistor of the switched capacitor amplification part to perform a reset operation;
• a second step of, after the first step, turning on the select transistor and turning off the reset transistor to perform a read operation of only a reset level;
• a third step of, after the second step, turning on the transfer transistor of the pixel to perform charge transfer from the pixel to the switched capacitor amplification part;
• and
• a fourth step of, after the third step, turning off the transfer transistor and turning on the select transistor to perform a read operation of a signal level,
• wherein
• operations of the first step to the fourth step are iterated for each of the pixels in each of the pixel groups.

An amplification type solid-state image pickup device driving method for driving the amplification type solid-state image pickup device which comprises

• a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, and
• a transfer transistor for transferring signal charge of the photoelectric conversion element,
• wherein signals derived from the respective pixels are amplified and outputted to a signal line common to the pixels, and
• wherein:
• a plurality of pixel groups each comprising a plurality of pixels are set;
• switched capacitor amplification parts are provided in correspondence to the pixel groups, respectively;
• each of the switched capacitor amplification parts has
• a charge detection node to which output terminals of the transfer transistors of a corresponding one of the pixel groups are connected in common,
• an amplification part to which a signal on the charge detection node is to be inputted,
• a reset transistor connected between the charge detection node and an output terminal of the amplification part,
• a first capacitance element connected between the charge detection node and the output terminal of the amplification part, and
• a select transistor connected between the output terminal of the amplification part and the signal line;
• a load part common to the switched capacitor amplification parts is connected between the signal line and power supply of a specified voltage so as to be combined with the amplification parts of the switched capacitor amplification parts to make up inverting amplifiers, respectively;
• and,
• a second capacitance element whose one terminal is connected to the charge detection node;
• and
• first boosting means connected to the other terminal of the second capacitance element and serving for deepening potential of the charge detection node by capacitive coupling via the second capacitance element,
• the method comprising:
• a first step of turning on the reset transistor of the switched capacitor amplification part to perform a reset operation;
• a second step of, after the first step, turning on the select transistor and turning off the reset transistor to perform a read operation of only a reset level;
• a third step of, after the second step, turning on the transfer transistor of the pixel, in a state that potential of the charge detection node has been deepened by the capacitive coupling via the second capacitance element by the first boosting means, to perform charge transfer from the pixel to the switched capacitor amplification part;
• and
• a fourth step of, after the third step, turning off the transfer transistor and turning on the select transistor to perform a read operation of a signal level,
• wherein
• operations of the first step to the fourth step are iterated for each of the pixels in each of the pixel groups, whereby the signal is read out from each of the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixel groups.

An amplification type solid-state image pickup device driving method for driving the amplification type solid-state image pickup device which comprises

• a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, and
• a transfer transistor for transferring signal charge of the photoelectric conversion element,
• wherein signals derived from the respective pixels are amplified and outputted to a signal line common to the pixels,
• wherein:
• a plurality of pixel groups each comprising a plurality of pixels are set;
• switched capacitor amplification parts are provided in correspondence to the pixel groups, respectively;
• each of the switched capacitor amplification parts has
• a charge detection node to which output terminals of the transfer transistors of a corresponding one of the pixel groups are connected in common,
• an amplification part to which a signal on the charge detection node is to be inputted,
• a reset transistor connected between the charge detection node and an output terminal of the amplification part,
• a first capacitance element connected between the charge detection node and the output terminal of the amplification part, and
• a select transistor connected between the output terminal of the amplification part and the signal line, and;
• a load part common to the switched capacitor amplification parts is connected between the signal line and power supply of a specified voltage so as to be combined with the amplification parts of the switched capacitor amplification parts to make up inverting amplifiers, respectively;
• wherein terminals of the reset transistor and the first capacitance element included in the switched capacitor amplification part other than and opposite to their terminals connected to the charge detection node are connected to the signal line instead of the output terminal of the amplification part, and
• wherein the amplification type solid-state image pickup device further comprises a second boosting means connected to the signal line and serving for deepening potential of the charge detection node by capacitive coupling via the first capacitance element,
• the method comprising:
• a first step of turning on the reset transistor of the switched capacitor amplification part to perform a reset operation;
• a second step of, after the first step, turning on the select transistor and turning off the reset transistor to perform a read operation of only a reset level;
• a third step of, after the second step, turning on the transfer transistor of the pixel, in a state that potential of the charge detection node has been deepened by the capacitive coupling via the first capacitance element by the second boosting means, to perform charge transfer from the pixel to the switched capacitor amplification part;
• and
• a fourth step of, after the third step, turning off the transfer transistor and turning on the select transistor to perform a read operation of a signal level,
• wherein
• operations of the first step to the fourth step are iterated for each of the pixels in each of the pixel groups.