Photoelectric conversion device and operation method for photoelectric conversion device

A photoelectric conversion device comprising:

• a first photoelectric conversion unit;
• a second photoelectric conversion unit;
• a first differential amplifier configured to output a current signal based on an amount of charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit, wherein the first differential amplifier includes a first input transistor and a second input transistor forming a first differential pair;
• a second differential amplifier configured to output a current signal based on the amount of charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit;
• wherein the second differential amplifier includes a third input transistor and a fourth input transistor forming a second differential pair;
• an output line electrically connected to the first differential amplifier and the second differential amplifier,
• a bias current source configured to provide each of the first differential amplifier and the second differential amplifier with a bias current,
• a transfer transistor electrically connected to an input node of the first input transistor, and configured to transfer a charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit to the input node of the first input transistor;
• a reset voltage providing unit configured to provide a reset voltage for the input node of the first input transistor and an input node of the second input transistor;
• a reset transistor electrically connected to the input node of the second input transistor, and configured to control an electrical connection between the reset voltage providing unit and the input node of the second input transistor;
• and
• a connection transistor configured to control an electrical connection between the input node of the first input transistor and the input node of the second input transistor, wherein a first node of the connection transistor is connected to the input node of the first input transistor, and a second node of the connection transistor is connected to the input node of the second input transistor,
• wherein the input node of the second input transistor is electrically connected to the reset voltage providing unit via the reset transistor,
• wherein the input node of the first input transistor is electrically connected to the reset voltage providing unit via the reset transistor and the connection transistor,
• wherein the first and second differential amplifiers are configured to simultaneously output the current signals to the output line, and
• wherein the output line is configured such that the current signals simultaneously output to the output line are summed up at the output line, and
• wherein the bias current source is configured to provide a first bias current for either one of the first differential amplifier or the second differential amplifier individually outputting the current signal, and to provide a second bias current, having a larger amplitude than that of the first bias current, for both of the first and second differential amplifiers simultaneously outputting the current signals.

A method for operating a photoelectric conversion device,

• wherein the devise includes:
• a photoelectric conversion unit;
• a differential amplifier configured to output a current signal based on an amount of charges generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, wherein the differential amplifier includes a first input transistor and a second input transistor forming a differential pair;
• a transfer transistor electrically connected to an input node of the first input transistor, and configured to transfer a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to the input node of the first input transistor;
• a reset voltage providing unit configured to provide a reset voltage for the input node of the first input transistor and an input node of the second input transistor;
• a reset transistor electrically connected to either one of the input node of the first input transistor or the input node of the second input transistor, and configured to control an electrical connection between the reset voltage providing unit and the input node connected to the reset transistor;
• and
• a connection transistor configured to control an electrical connection between the input node of the first input transistor and the input node of the second input transistor, wherein a first node of the connection transistor is connected to the input node of the first input transistor, and a second node of the connection transistor is connected to the input node of the second input transistor, and
• wherein the method comprising:
• a step of turning on both of the reset transistor and the connection transistor;
• thereafter, a step of tuning off the reset transistor;
• and
• thereafter, a step of turning off the connection transistor.