Solid-state imaging device and imaging system using buffered counter value of a counter

摘要

A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of readout circuits provided in each column of the plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, configured to read out for each column a signal of the plurality of pixels, a plurality of comparison units configured to compare a signal output from the plurality of readout circuits with a reference signal whose level changes with time, a counter configured to perform a count operation from when the level of the reference signal starts to change, first and second buffers each configured to buffer a count value of the counter, and a plurality of storing units connected to the plurality of comparison units, configured to store a count value of the counter when a magnitude relation between a signal output from the plurality of the readout circuits and the reference signal is inverted.

主权项

1. A solid-state imaging device comprising:
a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the plurality of pixels configured to generate a signal by photoelectric conversion; a plurality of readout circuits provided in each column of the plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, configured to read out for each column a signal of the plurality of pixels; a plurality of comparison units configured to compare a signal output from the plurality of readout circuits with a reference signal whose level changes with time; a counter configured to perform a count operation from when the level of the reference signal starts to change; a first buffer configured to buffer a count value of the counter; a second buffer configured to buffer a count value of the counter; and a plurality of storing units connected to the plurality of comparison units, configured to store a count value of the counter when a magnitude relation between a signal output from the plurality of the readout circuits and the reference signal is inverted, wherein each of the plurality of storing units includes a first storing unit to which an output signal from the first buffer is input, configured to store the count value of a signal output from the readout circuit when the pixel is in a reset state, and a second storing unit to which an output signal from the second buffer is input, configured to store the count value of a signal output from the readout circuit when the pixel is in a non-reset state.