Analog-to-digital conversion

1. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus comprising:

a plurality of analog-to-digital converters;

a ramp generator which is arranged to generate a ramp signal for distribution to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters;

wherein each of the analog-to-digital converters comprises:

an analog signal input for receiving an analog signal level;

a ramp signal input for receiving the ramp signal;

a control stage which is arranged to compare the ramp signal with the analog signal level received at the analog signal input and, based on the comparison, to enable a counter provided at the analog-to-digital converter or to latch a digital value received from a counter, the control stage comprising:

a comparator in the form of a first differential amplifier with a first branch connected to the input for receiving the ramp signal, a second branch connected to the analog signal input and an output;

a variable biasing current source for biasing the first differential amplifier;

a feedback circuit for controlling the variable biasing current source, wherein the feedback circuit comprises a second differential amplifier with a first input connected to a node on the first branch and a second input connected to a reference voltage such that the node on the first branch is maintained at a substantially constant voltage during all comparison states of the comparator.

2. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first branch of the first differential amplifier comprises a first transistor connected in series with a second transistor, with the ramp signal input connected to a gate of the first transistor, and wherein the node on the first branch is between the first transistor and the second transistor.

3. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second branch of the first differential amplifier comprises a third transistor connected in series with a fourth transistor, with the analog signal input connected to the third transistor, and wherein the output of the comparator is taken from a node on the second branch between the third transistor and the fourth transistor.

4. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising additional gain stages connected to the output of the first differential amplifier.

5. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the additional gain stages comprise:

a second gain stage comprising a second gain stage transistor in series with a second gain stage current source;

a third gain stage comprising a third gain stage transistor in series with a third gain stage current source;

wherein an output of the first differential amplifier is connected to a gate of the second gain stage transistor and wherein the second gain stage is connected to a gate of the third gain stage transistor.

6. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 5 further comprising a reference circuit for providing the reference voltage, the reference circuit comprising a reference circuit current source, and wherein current values of the current sources are arranged such that a current value of the third gain stage current source is substantially twice a current value of the reference circuit current source, and a current value of the second gain stage current source is substantially equal to a current value of the reference circuit.

7. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first branch and the second branch of the first differential amplifier comprise additional series connected transistors.

8. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first differential amplifier comprises a folded cascode amplifier.

9. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a reference circuit with a reference circuit current source in series with a reference circuit transistor, wherein the second input of the second differential amplifier connects to a node of the reference circuit between the reference circuit current source and the reference circuit transistor.

10. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second differential amplifier is an operational amplifier.

11. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the analog signal input is arranged to receive a first analog signal level and a second analog signal level, and wherein the control stage is arranged to enable the counter based on a comparison of the ramp signal with the first analog signal level and the second analog signal level.

12. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the control stage is arranged to generate a digital output value which is representative of a difference between the first analog signal level and the second analog signal level.

13. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first analog signal level is a reset level of a pixel and the second analog signal level is a signal level of the pixel following exposure.

14. An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control stage is arranged to enable the counter based on at least one of a start of a cycle of the ramp signal and an end of a cycle of the ramp signal.

15. An image sensor comprising an array of pixels and an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of analog-to-digital converters in the analog-to-digital conversion apparatus is associated with a group of pixels in the array of pixels.

16. A method of performing analog-to-digital conversion at an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus comprising a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, the method comprising:

generating a ramp signal and distributing the ramp signal to the plurality of analog-to-digital converters;

and further comprising, at each of the analog-to-digital converters:

receiving an analog signal level;

receiving the ramp signal;

comparing the ramp signal with the analog signal level and, based on the comparison, enabling a counter provided at the analog-to-digital converter or latching a digital value received from a counter, wherein the comparison is performed by a comparator in the form of a first differential amplifier with a first branch connected to the input for receiving the ramp signal, a second branch connected to the analog signal input and an output;

and the comparing further comprises biasing the first differential amplifier with a variable biasing current and controlling the biasing by a feedback circuit comprising a second differential amplifier with a first input connected to a node on the first branch and a second input connected to a reference voltage such that the node on the first branch is maintained at a substantially constant voltage during all comparison states of the comparator.