Photoelectric conversion apparatus
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprises a pixel region where pixels are arranged in a matrix, a sample hold circuit configured to sample and hold, as a first signal and a second signal, two different signals output from each of two pixels in the pixel region, and an analog-digital conversion circuit configured to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels after performing analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels. A time interval between a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels and a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels is set longer than a time interval between periods set to perform analog-digital conversion of each of the first signals from the two pixels.
1 . A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
a pixel region where pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a matrix;
a sample hold circuit configured to sample and hold, as a first signal and a second signal, two different signals output from each of two pixels in the pixel region; and
an analog-digital conversion circuit configured to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels after performing analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels,
wherein a time interval between a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels and a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels is set longer than a time interval between periods set to perform analog-digital conversion of each of the first signals from the two pixels.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the two pixels are arranged side by side in the pixel region.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the first signal undergoes analog-digital conversion, and the second signal undergoes analog-digital conversion thereafter.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the sample hold circuit comprises a sample hold circuit configured to sample and hold a signal at a reset level.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein
a difference between the signal at the reset level and the first signal and a difference between the signal at the reset level and the second signal are output to the analog-digital conversion circuit.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
an output of the sample hold circuit is input to the analog-digital conversion circuit via a resistor.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the resistor is a variable resistor.
8 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the sample hold circuit includes an amplifier, and the first signal and the second signal are output from the amplifier.
9 . The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein
the first signal and the second signal are held by two capacitors provided in an input section of the amplifier.
10 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the analog-digital conversion circuit is a delta-sigma ( 42 ) analog-digital conversion circuit.
11 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
an integrator is provided in an input of the analog-digital conversion circuit.
12 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
a voltage-current converter is provided in the analog-digital conversion circuit.
13 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
a gain changing portion configured to change an output from the photoelectric conversion element is provided in the pixel.
14 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
a time interval between a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels and a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels is set longer than a time interval between periods set to perform analog-digital conversion of each of the second signals from the two pixels.
15 . Equipment comprising:
a photoelectric conversion apparatus defined in claim 1 ; and
a processing apparatus configured to process an output signal from the photoelectric conversion apparatus.
16 . A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
a pixel region where pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a matrix;
a sample hold circuit configured to sample and hold, as a first signal and a second signal having a longer exposure time than the first signal, two signals output from each of two pixels in the pixel region; and
an analog-digital conversion circuit configured to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels after performing analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels,
wherein a time interval between a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the first signals from the two pixels and a period set to perform analog-digital conversion of the second signals from the two pixels is set longer than a time interval between periods set to perform analog-digital conversion of each of the first signals from the two pixels.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein
the pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element, the first signal is a signal from the first photoelectric conversion element, and the second signal is a signal from the first photoelectric conversion element and the second photoelectric conversion element.
18 . The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein
the first signal is a focus detection signal, and the second signal is an image signal.