Ramp signal generation circuit
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorSu-hun Lim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A ramp signal generation circuit is disclosed. The ramp signal generation circuit comprises a ramp signal generator, a buffer, a comparator, and a switching circuit. The switching circuit provides current to an output of the ramp signal generation circuit in response to a control signal output by the comparator. When a high slew rate is required, the output of the ramp signal generation circuit is driven by the current provided by the switching circuit. Otherwise, the output of the ramp signal generation circuit is driven by an output of the buffer.
Claims15
A ramp signal generation circuit comprising:
- a ramp signal generator generating a ramp signal;
- a buffer receiving and buffering the ramp signal, wherein the buffer comprises an output terminal providing a buffer output signal;
- a first comparator receiving the ramp signal and the buffer output signal, comparing the ramp signal and the buffer output signal, and outputting a first comparator output signal in accordance with the comparison;
- and,
- a first switching circuit disposed between a first power source and the output terminal, and response to the first comparator output signal.
A ramp signal generation circuit adapted for use within a CMOS image sensor, wherein the ramp signal generator is adapted to provide a buffer output signal at an output terminal, and comprises:
- a ramp signal generator generating a ramp signal;
- a buffer comprising the output terminal and adapted to receive and buffer the ramp signal;
- a first comparator adapted to compare the ramp signal and the buffer output signal and output a first comparator output signal in accordance therewith;
- and,
- a first switching circuit disposed between a first power source and the output terminal, and response to the first comparator output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.