Comparator and solid-state imaging device with multi-gain ad conversion
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsHaruhisa Naganokawa, Noriyuki Saruhashi, Hiroyuki Iwaki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A comparator includes a ramp signal input circuit configured to input a ramp signal, a plurality of pixel signal input circuits, each configured to input a pixel signal, and a comparator circuit configured to compare the ramp signal input from the ramp signal input circuit with the pixel signal input from one of the plurality of pixel signal input circuits and output a comparison result.
Claims20
A comparator of an AD conversion circuit, wherein the AD conversion circuit is configured to convert an analog pixel signal into a digital signal, the comparator comprising:
- a ramp signal input circuit configured to receive a ramp signal and output a ramp-side signal;
- a plurality of pixel signal input circuits, each configured to receive the analog pixel signal and output a pixel-side signal;
- and
- a comparison circuit configured to:
- compare the ramp-side signal received from the ramp signal input circuit, with the pixel-side signal received from one of the plurality of pixel signal input circuits, and
- output a comparison result.
A solid-state imaging device comprising:
- a pixel configuration configured to switch a conversion gain corresponding to a rate at which a charge generated in a pixel is converted into a voltage;
- and
- an AD conversion circuit configured to receive an analog pixel signal from the pixel configuration and convert the analog pixel signal into a digital signal, the AD conversion circuit comprising a comparator,
- wherein the comparator comprises:
- a ramp signal input circuit configured to receive a ramp signal and output a ramp-side signal;
- a plurality of pixel signal input circuits, each configured to receive the analog pixel signal and output a pixel-side signal;
- a selection circuit configured to select one of the plurality of pixel signal input circuits based on the conversion gain;
- and
- a comparison circuit configured to:
- compare the ramp-side signal received from the ramp signal input circuit with the pixel-side signal received from the selected one of the plurality of pixel signal input circuits, and
- output a comparison result.
A solid-state imaging device comprising:
- a pixel configuration configured to switch a conversion gain corresponding to a rate at which a charge generated in a pixel is converted into a voltage;
- and
- a comparator comprising:
- a ramp signal input circuit configured to receive a ramp signal and output a ramp-side signal;
- a plurality of pixel signal input circuits, each configured to receive an analog pixel signal from the pixel configuration and output a pixel-side signal;
- and
- a comparison circuit configured to:
- compare the ramp-side signal received from the ramp signal input circuit with the pixel-side signal received from a first pixel signal input circuit of the plurality of pixel signal input circuits, and
- output a comparison result.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.