Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging system using the solid-state imaging apparatus

摘要

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus that outputs digital signals at high speed. A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided that includes plural analog-to-digital converters that convert analog signals obtained by photoelectric conversion into digital signals, plural digital memories that store the digital signals converted by the analog-to-digital converters, plural block digital output lines that are provided to correspond to blocks of the plural digital memories and to which the digital signals stored in the plural digital memories included in the blocks are output, a common digital output line that outputs the digital signals output from the plural block digital output lines, buffer circuits that buffer the digital signals output from the block digital output lines, and block selecting units that can switch the block digital output lines electrically connected to the common digital output line.

主权项

1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:
a pixel region including a plurality of pixels arranged in columns, and each pixel performs photoelectric conversion and outputs an analog signal; a plurality of analog-to-digital converters respectively corresponding to the columns of pixels, and each analog-to-digital converter converts an analog signal output by a pixel of a corresponding column into a digital signal; a plurality of digital memories respectively corresponding to the columns of pixels, and each digital memory holds the digital signal converted by the analog-to-digital converter of the corresponding column; first and second block wirings respectively corresponding to mutually different blocks of the plurality of digital memories; a first buffer for buffering an output from the first block wiring; and a second buffer for selectively buffering the output from the first buffer or an output from the second block wiring, an output of the second buffer being coupled to a common digital output line.