IP Library Granted Patent US 9,344,656
Granted Patent B2
US 9,344,656 · App. 14/002,307 · Granted May 17, 2016

Solid-state image sensor and camera system

Inventor: Hirofumi Sumi (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
H04N5/374H01L27/14603H01L27/14609H04N5/357H04N5/3658H04N5/378
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,344,656
App. No.
14/002,307
Granted
May 17, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pixel includes an embedded photo diode (PD), an amplification transistor forming a source follower circuit having a gate for input and a source for output, and a transfer transistor that transfers a charge to the gate of the amplification transistor, the charge being photoelectrically converted by the PD. The amplification transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate electrically isolated from a substrate on which the embedded PD and the transfer transistor are formed and the substrate of the amplification transistor is in a floating state. The reading unit includes a ΔΣ modulator that inputs/outputs the image signal per pixel unit and the output of the ΔΣ modulator is given, as feedback, to a capacitative unit functioning as a capacity to integrate the pixel.

Claims (23)

1. An imaging device comprising:

a first substrate including:

a pixel including:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical signal into an electric signal;

a transfer transistor configured to transfer the electric signal;

a floating diffusion configured to hold the electric signal;

an amplifying transistor;

a quantizer; and

a digital-analog converter; and

a second substrate including a feedback transistor, wherein a first current terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to the floating diffusion and a second current terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to the photoelectric conversion element, a control terminal of the amplifying transistor is connected to the floating diffusion, a first current terminal of the feedback transistor is connected to the digital-analog converter and a second current terminal of the feedback transistor is connected to the floating diffusion, and the first substrate and the second substrate are laminated.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the photoelectric conversion element is formed on a back side of the first substrate and the quantizer, and the digital-analog converter is formed on a front side of the first substrate.

3. A camera system comprising:

an imaging device comprising:

a first substrate including:

a pixel including:

a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical signal into an electric signal;

a transfer transistor configured to transfer the electric signal;

a floating diffusion configured to hold the electric signal;

an amplifying transistor;

a quantizer; and

a digital-analog converter; and

a second substrate including a feedback transistor, wherein a first current terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to the floating diffusion and a second current terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to the photoelectric conversion element, a control terminal of the amplifying transistor is connected to the floating diffusion, a first current terminal of the feedback transistor is connected to the digital-analog converter and a second current terminal of the feedback transistor is connected to the floating diffusion, and the first substrate and the second substrate are laminated.

4. The camera system according to claim 3 , wherein the photoelectric conversion element is formed on a back side of the first substrate and the quantizer, and the digital-analog converter is formed on a front side of the first substrate.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 11, 2013
From: SUMI, HIROFUMI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031758/0453 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-087333 · Apr 11, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140160332A1 · Jun 12, 2014