IMAGE SENSOR, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, COMPARATOR, AND DRIVE METHOD

摘要

The present technology relates to an image sensor, an electronic apparatus, a comparator, and a drive method which enable achievement of a noise reduction while maintaining high speed of AD conversion. An ADC for performing AD conversion for an electrical signal output from a pixel includes a comparator that compares the electrical signal and a reference signal, a level of which is changed and a counter that counts time necessary for a change of the reference signal to a coincidence of the electrical signal and the reference signal on the basis of output signals from the comparator. The comparator includes a differential amplifier that outputs a comparison result signal indicating a comparison result obtained by comparing the electrical signal and the reference signal and a plurality of output amplifiers that outputs signals obtained by amplifying the comparison result signal output from the differential amplifier as the output signals at different timings. The present technology can be applied to, for example, an ADC that performs AD conversion for an electrical signal output from a pixel.

主权项

1. An image sensor, comprising:
a pixel that has a photoelectric conversion element for performing photoelectric conversion and outputs an electrical signal; a reference signal output unit that outputs a reference signal, a level of which is changed; and an ADC that performs AD (Analog Digital) conversion for the electrical signal by counting time necessary for a change of the reference signal to a coincidence of the electrical signal output from the pixel and the reference signal output from the reference signal output unit, wherein the ADC includes
a comparator that compares the electrical signal with the reference signal, anda counter that counts time necessary for a change of the reference signal to a coincidence of the electrical signal and the reference signal on the basis of output signals from the comparator, andthe comparator includes
a differential amplifier that outputs a comparison result signal indicating a comparison result obtained by comparing the electrical signal and the reference signal, anda plurality of output amplifiers that outputs, at different timings, signals obtained by amplifying the comparison result signal output from the differential amplifier as the output signals.