Image sensor supporting a binning operation using switches

摘要

There is provided an image sensor, including an input control unit configured to control signal paths between a plurality of pixels and a plurality of sampling units and supplying outputs from the plurality of pixels in row units to the plurality of sampling units during a normal operation, while supplying the outputs from the plurality of pixels by color, to the plurality of sampling units during a binning operation; and an output control unit configured to control signal paths between the plurality of sampling units and an amplification unit and sequentially supplying outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the normal operation while simultaneously supplying the outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the binning operation.

主权项

1. An image sensor, comprising:
an input control unit configured to control signal paths between a plurality of pixels and a plurality of sampling units and supplying outputs from the plurality of pixels in row units to the plurality of sampling units during a normal operation, while supplying the outputs from the plurality of pixels by color, to the plurality of sampling units during a binning operation; and an output control unit configured to control signal paths between the plurality of sampling units and an amplification unit and sequentially supplying outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the normal operation while simultaneously supplying the outputs from the plurality of sampling units to the amplification unit during the binning operation, wherein the input control unit comprises an adjacent column connection unit having N2/2 first switches, where N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, the N2/2 first switches having both terminals connected to output terminals of two pixels located in adjacent columns; and input switching unit having N2 second switches connected between the both terminals of the N2/2 first switches and input terminals of N2 sampling units; and the output control unit comprises a pixel switching unit having N2 third switches connected between output terminals of the N2 sampling units and an input terminal of the amplification unit; wherein all of the N2/2 first switches and the N2 third switches are turned on and the N2 second switches are alternately turned on in column units during the binning operation; and all of the N2/2 first switches are turned off, all of the N2 second switches are turned on, and the N2 third switches are turned on one at a time, during the normal operation.