Solid-state imaging device and camera system
A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout circuit. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed to correspond to a pixel column array, and a plurality of counters. Each counter includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a mirror circuit to from a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier. The first amplifier includes differential transistors, initializing switches connected between gates and collectors of the differential transistors, and first and second capacitors connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors. The second amplifier includes an initializing switch and a third capacitor. The mirror circuit includes a gate input transistor whose gate is inputted with a voltage sampled by the first amplifier or a voltage sampled by the second amplifier.
1. A solid-state imaging device comprising:
a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein each pixel performs photoelectric conversion; and
a pixel signal readout circuit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit,
wherein:
the pixel signal readout circuit includes:
a plurality of comparators arranged such that they individually correspond with each column array of pixels in the matrix, each of the comparators comparing a read-out signal potential with a reference voltage to output a determination signal; and
a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by corresponding determination signals of the comparators, each of the counters being configured to count
a time of the determination signal for a corresponding comparator,
wherein each of the comparators includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier,
the first amplifier including:
differential transistors for performing a comparison operation between the reference voltage and the read-out signal potential by receiving the reference voltage at a gate of one transistor and receiving the read-out signal potential at a gate of the other transistor,
first and second capacitors, connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors, and
the mirror circuit including a gate input transistor whose gate receives a voltage output by the first amplifier or a voltage output by the second amplifier.
2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the second amplifier includes a first conductivity type transistor whose gate receives an output of the first amplifier, a second conductivity type transistor connected in series with the first conductivity type transistor forming a mirror circuit, the initializing switch being disposed between a gate and a drain thereof, and the gate thereof being connected to the third capacitor, and an output node being formed at a connection point between the first conductivity type transistor and the second conductivity type transistor;
the mirror circuit includes a second conductivity type transistor connected in series with the gate input transistor, a gate thereof being connected to the third capacitor in common with the gate of the second conductivity type transistor; and
wherein the gate of the gate input transistor is connected to the output node of the second amplifier and the gate input transistor is composed of a first conductivity type transistor.
3. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 2 , wherein:
the reference voltage has a slope waveform having a gradient and changing linearly;
the first amplifier outputs to the second amplifier a comparison output having a level allowing the first conductivity type gate input transistor of the second amplifier to be turned on until the read signal and the slope waveform of the reference voltage cross, and to be turned off after the cross; and
in the mirror circuit, the gate input transistor turns on until the read signal and the slope waveform of the reference voltage cross, and turns off after the cross.
4. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the second amplifier includes:
a first conductivity type gate input transistor whose gate receives an output of the first amplifier; and
a second conductivity type transistor, connected in series with the first conductivity type transistor, forming a mirror circuit, the initializing switch being disposed between a gate and a drain thereof, and the gate thereof being connected to the third capacitor;
an output node is formed at a connection point between the first conductivity type transistor and the second conductivity type transistor;
the mirror circuit includes:
a second conductivity type transistor connected in series with the gate input transistor, a gate thereof being connected to the third capacitor in common with the gate of the second conductivity type transistor; and
wherein the gate of the gate input transistor is connected to the output node of the first amplifier, and the gate input transistor is composed of a second conductivity type transistor having a conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type gate input transistor of the second amplifier.
5. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein:
the reference voltage has a slope waveform;
the first amplifier outputs to the second amplifier a comparison output having a level allowing the first conductivity type gate input transistor of the second amplifier to be turned on until the read signal and the slope waveform of the reference voltage cross, and to be turned off after the cross; and
in the mirror circuit, the gate input transistor turns on until the read signal and the slope waveform of the reference voltage cross, and turns off after the cross.
6. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 4 , wherein the mirror circuit is controlled after a logical threshold value of the mirror circuit is adjusted.
7. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 5 , wherein, the mirror circuit is controlled after a logical threshold value of the mirror circuit is adjusted.
8. A camera system comprising:
a solid-state imaging device; and
an optical system for forming an image on the solid-state imaging device, wherein the solid-state imaging device includes:
a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein each pixel performs photoelectric conversion; and
a pixel signal readout circuit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel unit,
wherein:
the pixel signal readout circuit includes:
a plurality of comparators individually corresponding to a column of pixels, each of the comparators being configured to compare a read-out signal potential with a reference voltage to output a determination signal; and
a plurality of counters whose operations are controlled by a corresponding determination signal from one of the comparators,
each of the counters being configured to count
a time of the determination signal for a corresponding comparator;
wherein each of the comparators includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier,
the first amplifier including:
differential transistors for performing a comparison operation between the reference voltage and the read-out signal potential by receiving the reference voltage of a gate of one transistor and receiving the read signal potential of a gate of the other transistor, and
first and second capacitors, connected to each of the gates of the differential transistor,
the mirror circuit including a gate input transistor whose gate receives a voltage output by the first amplifier or a voltage output by the second amplifier.