Photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system using the same

A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:

• a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix;
• a plurality of pixel output lines, each of the plurality of pixel output lines being provided according to each column of the pixel array and transmitting a pixel signal output from a pixel of each column of the pixel array;
• and
• a plurality of column signal processing units, each of the plurality of column signal processing units being provided according to each column of the pixel array and into which the pixel signal is input from the pixel output line, wherein
• a column signal processing unit of the plurality of column signal processing units has a plurality of horizontal adding up or averaging units configured to add up or average the plurality of pixel signals based on the pixels of different columns of the pixel array, an amplification unit having a plurality of input capacitors, and a holding unit including a plurality of holding capacitors in which an output signal of the amplification unit is held,
• a plurality of adding up or averaging modes with different numbers of columns subjected to adding up or averaging can be selected by selectively using one or a plurality of the plurality of horizontal adding up or averaging units,
• the plurality of horizontal adding up or averaging units includes a unit configured to perform horizontal adding up or averaging by switching connection with the plurality of input capacitors and the plurality of pixel output lines, and
• the plurality of horizontal adding up or averaging unit includes a unit configured to perform horizontal adding up or averaging by switching connection with the plurality of holding capacitors and an output of the amplification unit.

An imaging system having a photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:

• a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix;
• a plurality of pixel output lines, each of the plurality of pixel output lines being provided according to a corresponding column of the pixel array and transmitting a pixel signal output from a pixel of the pixel array;
• a plurality of column signal processing units, each of the plurality of column signal processing units being provided according to the corresponding column of the pixel array and into which the pixel signal is input from the pixel output line;
• a first adding up or averaging unit configured to add up or average the plurality of pixel signals output to the plurality of pixel output lines corresponding to different columns of the pixel array;
• and
• a second adding up or averaging unit, arranged at a subsequent stage of the first adding up or averaging unit, configured to add up or average the plurality of pixel signals output to the plurality of pixel output lines corresponding to different columns of the pixel array, wherein
• between the first adding up or averaging unit and the second adding up or averaging unit, cycles of the columns from which added up or averaged signals are output are different from each other, and
• an image signal processing unit configured to execute processing of a signal output from the photoelectric conversion apparatus.