JP2017041803A - Imaging device and imaging system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for suppressing a dynamic range from being narrowed, in a structure comprising a first amplifier circuit, a second amplifier circuit that receives an output of the first amplifier circuit, and a limit circuit that limits the output of the first amplifier circuit.SOLUTION: An imaging device comprises a first amplifier circuit, a second amplifier circuit, and a limit circuit that limits an output of the first amplifier circuit. The imaging device further comprises a configuration for clamping an output of the limit circuit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging system.

  There is known an imaging apparatus that includes a photoelectric conversion unit that generates charges by photoelectrically converting incident light and a floating diffusion unit that accumulates the charges, and a pixel outputs an optical signal based on the potential of the floating diffusion unit. Furthermore, as an example of this imaging apparatus, a configuration having an amplifying unit that amplifies an optical signal output from a pixel is known.

  In the imaging device described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of amplification units amplify an optical signal output from a pixel. Specifically, the first stage amplifier amplifies the optical signal output from the pixel, and the next stage amplifier amplifies the signal amplified by the first stage amplifier.

  In addition, in an imaging device, when a subject with a high amount of light is photographed, a blackening phenomenon may occur in which a portion of the high light amount that should originally become white with high luminance becomes low luminance or black.

  Patent Document 2 describes a configuration that reduces a blackening phenomenon by including a limiting circuit that limits an output of an amplification unit that amplifies an optical signal output from a pixel.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a first amplifier circuit and a second amplifier circuit connected to the output node of the first amplifier circuit, the limiter for limiting the output of the first amplifier circuit, and the second amplifier circuit. A configuration having a limiter for limiting the output is described.

JP 2012-257029 A JP 2014-212423 A JP 2007-201550 A

  When shooting a high-light subject, the amplitude of the noise signal output from the pixel may increase due to leakage of charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the floating diffusion unit. In this case, the output (first reference signal) of the first amplifier circuit to which the noise signal is input changes from the reset level to a level limited by the limiting circuit. In this case, the second amplifier circuit outputs a second reference signal obtained by amplifying the first reference signal that has changed to a level limited by the limiting circuit. Therefore, the second reference signal occupies a predetermined amplitude range with respect to the amplitude range that the output of the second amplifier circuit can take. Further, the first amplifier circuit outputs a first optical signal obtained by amplifying the optical signal output from the pixel to the second amplifier circuit. Further, the second amplifier circuit outputs a second optical signal obtained by amplifying the first optical signal. Since the second reference signal occupies a predetermined amplitude range with respect to the amplitude range that can be taken by the output of the second amplifier circuit, the amplitude range that can be taken by the second optical signal is narrowed. This narrows the dynamic range of the image generated using the second optical signal.

  The present invention provides a technique for suppressing the narrowing of the dynamic range caused by the second reference signal having a predetermined amplitude range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and one aspect is that a pixel that outputs a noise signal and an optical signal based on light, respectively, and the noise signal and the optical signal are each the pixel. An amplifying unit input from the first amplifying unit, the amplifying unit including a first amplifying circuit and a second amplifying circuit, wherein the first amplifying circuit includes a first reference signal obtained by amplifying the noise signal; The first optical signal obtained by amplifying the optical signal is output to the second amplifying circuit, the second amplifying circuit includes a capacitive element and an amplifier, and the imaging device outputs the output of the first amplifying circuit. A limiting circuit connected to a node for limiting the amplitude of the first reference signal output from the first amplifier circuit, wherein the capacitive element is electrically connected between the limiting circuit and an input node of the amplifier. Provided in the path, the capacitive element Characterized by clamping the first reference signal whose amplitude is limited by the limiting circuit.

  The present invention provides a technique for suppressing the narrowing of the dynamic range.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device The figure which shows an example of a structure of the amplifier and limiting circuit of a 1st amplifier circuit The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging device The figure which shows an example of a structure of the amplifier and limiting circuit of a 1st amplifier circuit 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging device 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an imaging device The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging device The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of an imaging device Diagram showing an example of an imaging system

  Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of the imaging apparatus of the present invention. Pixels 102 are arranged in a matrix in the imaging region 101. A plurality of pixel columns are arranged to constitute an imaging region. Vertical signal lines 103a to 103d are arranged in each pixel column. The signals of each pixel row are read out substantially simultaneously to the corresponding vertical signal lines 103a to 103d. In other words, it can be said that they are read in parallel. The column amplification units 104a to 104d are configured to amplify signals output to the vertical signal lines 103a to 103d by two amplification stages. The sample hold circuits 105a to 105d sample the signals amplified by the column amplifiers 104a to 104d. The signals held by the sample hold circuits 105a to 105d receive a drive signal from a horizontal scanning circuit (not shown) and are sequentially or randomly output to the horizontal output lines 106a and 106b. The circuits and blocks are preferably all arranged on the same semiconductor substrate. At least the imaging region 101 and the column amplification units 104a to 104d need to be arranged on the same semiconductor substrate. In addition, a column AD conversion circuit may be arranged at the subsequent stage of the column amplification units 104a to 104d. This column AD conversion circuit is also disposed on the same semiconductor substrate. The column amplifiers 104a to 104d and the sample hold circuits 105a to 105d can be called column circuits. A column circuit is a circuit capable of temporally parallel processing signals read in parallel in time on a plurality of vertical signal lines.

  Various configurations can be used as the pixel configuration. For example, it is preferable to use a so-called APS sensor having a photoelectric conversion unit and a pixel amplification unit that amplifies a signal generated in the photoelectric conversion unit, because the SN ratio can be improved.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the configuration of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows one column circuit including the column amplifier 104a and the sample hold circuit 105a and the corresponding one column of pixels 102 in the column circuit shown in FIG.

  First, the pixel 102 will be described. The pixel 102 includes a photodiode 110, a transfer transistor 111, a reset transistor 112, an amplification transistor 113, and a selection transistor 114. The photodiode 110 receives incident light and generates charges by photoelectric conversion. In this embodiment, the charge generated by the photodiode 110 is an electron. The transfer transistor 111, the reset transistor 112, and the amplification transistor 113 are connected via an FD95. The FD 95 is a floating diffusion part. The floating diffusion unit converts the charge transferred from the photodiode 110 by the transfer transistor 111 into a voltage based on the capacitance value of the floating diffusion unit. The amplification transistor 113 is connected to the vertical signal line 103a through the selection transistor 114. A current source 99 is connected to the vertical signal line 103a. When the selection transistor 114 is turned on, the current source 99 and the amplification transistor 113 form a source follower circuit. The amplification transistor 113 outputs a signal based on the potential of the FD 95 that is a floating diffusion portion. The reset transistor 112 resets the potential of the FD 95 when turned on. A signal output from the amplification transistor 113 to the vertical signal line 103a via the selection transistor 114 based on the reset potential of the FD 95 is referred to as a reference signal. The reference signal is a noise signal. On the other hand, a signal output from the amplification transistor 113 based on the potential of the FD 95 to which the charge generated by the photodiode 110 is transferred is referred to as an optical signal. A signal output from the pixel 102 is referred to as a pixel signal. The pixel signal is a noise signal and an optical signal.

  The transfer transistor 111 receives a signal PTX from a vertical scanning circuit (not shown). The reset transistor 112 receives a signal PRES from a vertical scanning circuit (not shown). The selection transistor 114 receives a signal PSEL from a vertical scanning circuit (not shown).

  Next, the column amplification unit 104a will be described. The column amplifier 104 a includes a first amplifier circuit 140, a second amplifier circuit 145, and a switch 4. The first amplifier circuit 140 includes a capacitive element 5, a capacitive element 6, a switch 7, a switch 8, a first amplifier 151, and a limiting circuit 152. The second amplifier circuit 145 includes a capacitive element 13-1, a capacitive element 13-2, a capacitive element 14-1, a capacitive element 14-2, a switch 15-1, a switch 15-2, and a second amplifier 153. The reference voltage Vref is input to the non-inverting input node of the first amplifier 151, one input node of the capacitive element 13-2, and one input node of the capacitive element 14-1. The first amplifier circuit 140 is an inverting amplifier circuit, and the second amplifier circuit 145 is a non-inverting amplifier circuit. The capacitive element 13-1 is provided in an electrical path between the limiting circuit 152 and the input node of the second amplifier 153.

  Next, the sample hold circuit 105a will be described. The sample hold circuit 105 a includes a switch 16, a switch 17, a capacitor element 18, and a capacitor element 19. An output switch to which a control signal from a horizontal scanning circuit (not shown) is input is provided at the subsequent stage of each of the capacitive element 18 and the capacitive element 19. The horizontal scanning circuit sequentially selects each output switch of the column circuit, so that the signals held by the capacitive elements 18 and 19 of the column circuit are horizontally output from the capacitive elements 18 and 19. Output to line 106a.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first amplifier of the first amplifier circuit 140 and the limiting circuit 152. The first amplifier includes an NMOS transistor MN1, an NMOS transistor MN2, a PMOS transistor MP1, a PMOS transistor MP2, and a current source 101. A signal output from the vertical signal line 103a is input to the gate of the NMOS transistor MN1 through the capacitive element 5 as the input Vinp. The voltage Vref is input as the input Vinm to the gate of the NMOS transistor MN2.

  The limiting circuit 152 includes a PMOS transistor MP0. The potential VCLP is input to the gate of the PMOS transistor MP0. The source of the PMOS transistor MP0 is connected to the output node of the amplifier 101. The drain of the PMOS transistor MP0 is connected to the ground wiring. When the predetermined potential VCLP is input to the gate of the PMOS transistor MP0, the gate-source voltage Vgs of the PMOS transistor MP0 increases as the potential of the output node of the VCLP amplifier 101 increases. When the voltage Vgs becomes larger than the threshold voltage Vth of the PMOS transistor MP0, the PMOS transistor MP0 enters an operating state. When the PMOS transistor MP0 is activated, the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 is limited by the limiting circuit 152.

  FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. PSEL, PRES, and PTX shown in FIG. 4 correspond to the respective signals shown in FIG. The signal Pin shown in FIG. 4 is a signal input to the switch 4. The signal Pin and the signal PSEL are synchronized in this embodiment. Further, the signal PRES1 shown in FIG. 4 is a signal input to the switch 7, and the signal PRES2 is a signal input to the switch 15-2. The signal PCT1 is a signal input to the switch 8. The signal PCT2N is a signal input to the switch 17, and the signal PXT2S is a signal input to the switch 16. The transistor or switch to which each signal shown in FIG. 4 is input is turned on when a signal of High level (hereinafter referred to as Hi level) is input, and is at a Low level (hereinafter referred to as Lo level). When the signal is input, the signal is turned off.

  VLine shown in FIG. 4 is the potential of the vertical signal line 103a. Also, Vout1 shown in FIG. 4 indicates the output of the first amplifier 151. Also, Vout2 shown in FIG. 4 indicates the output of the second amplifier 153.

  At time t1, the vertical scanning circuit (not shown) sets the signal level of the signal PSEL to the Hi level and the signal level of the signal PTX to the Lo level. Then, the vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES from the Hi level to the Lo level, and releases the reset of the FD95. Thereby, the amplification transistor 113 outputs the reference signal to the vertical signal line 103a.

  In the potential VLine illustrated in FIG. 4, the solid line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject. On the other hand, the broken line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a low to medium luminance subject.

  In the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, the broken lines indicate the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a low to medium luminance subject. In the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 152 operates. Further, in the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, solid lines indicate potentials when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 152 is not operating.

  Again, the potential of the potential VLine when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject will be described. When the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject, the charge generated by the photodiode 110 leaks to the FD 95. Due to the leakage of the electric charge, the potential of the FD 95 is lowered. As a result, the potential of the signal output from the amplification transistor 113 also decreases, and the potential VLine decreases. That is, the amplitude of the reference signal increases with time.

  At time t1, a control circuit (not shown) sets the signal level of the signal PRES1 to the Hi level. Therefore, since the first amplifier circuit 140 is reset, the output Vout1 does not change even if the potential VLine changes.

  At time t2, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES1 from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the reset of the first amplifier circuit 140 is released. Therefore, the first amplifier circuit 140 outputs a signal obtained by inverting and amplifying the reference signal with an amplification factor represented by the capacitance value of the capacitive element 5 / the capacitance value of the capacitive element 6.

  The first amplifier circuit 140 of this embodiment includes a limiting circuit 152. Here, a case where the limiting circuit is not operated will be described.

  By releasing the reset of the first amplifier circuit 140, the potential of the output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140 increases as the potential VLine decreases. In other words, as the reference signal amplitude increases, the amplitude of the output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140 also increases. The output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140 corresponding to the amplitude of the reference signal is a first reference signal obtained by amplifying the reference signal. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the first reference signal reaches the potential Vsat0 that is the saturation level of the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 at time t4.

  Next, at time t3, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES2 from the Hi level to the Lo level. As a result, the reset of the second amplifier circuit 145 is released. At this time, the capacitive element 13-1 clamps the output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140. A difference signal, which is a difference signal between the signal clamped by the capacitive element 13-1 and the first optical signal, is input to the second amplifier circuit 145. As the amplitude of the output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140 increases, the output Vout2 of the second amplifier circuit 145 also increases in amplitude. The output Vout2 of the second amplifier circuit 145 is a second reference signal obtained by amplifying the output Vout1 of the first amplifier circuit 140 that is the first reference signal. Note that the potential of the second reference signal reaches the potential Vsat1 which is the saturation level of the output of the second amplifier circuit 145 in response to the first reference signal reaching the saturation level potential Vsat0 at time t4.

  Next, at time t4, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCT2N from the Lo level to the Hi level. Thereafter, the control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCT2N from the Hi level to the Lo level at time t5. Thereby, the capacitive element 19 holds the potential of the output Vout2. As a result, the capacitive element 19 holds the second reference signal that is a signal output from the second amplifier circuit 145.

  At time t6, a vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Lo level to the Hi level. As a result, transfer of the charge generated by the photodiode 110 to the FD 95 is started. At time t7, a vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the transfer of the charge generated by the photodiode 110 to the FD 95 is completed. As a result, the potential of the FD 95 becomes a potential based on charges generated by the photoelectric conversion of incident light by the photodiode 110. The amplification transistor 113 outputs a signal based on the potential of the FD 95 to the vertical signal line 103a via the selection transistor 114. A signal output from the amplification transistor 113 is an optical signal.

  Upon receiving the optical signal output from the amplification transistor 113, the first amplification circuit 140 outputs a signal obtained by amplifying the optical signal to the second amplification circuit. The signal that the first amplifier circuit 140 amplifies and outputs the optical signal is the first optical signal. In addition, since the signal level of the first optical signal has already reached the saturation level potential Vsat0, the signal level of the first optical signal is also the saturation level potential Vsat0.

  The second amplifier circuit 145 outputs a signal obtained by amplifying the first optical signal amplified by the first amplifier circuit 140. The signal output from the second amplifier circuit 145 is a second optical signal obtained by amplifying the first optical signal. Since the signal level of the second reference signal reaches the potential Vsat1 that is the saturation level of the second amplifier circuit 145, the signal level of the second optical signal is also the saturation level of the potential Vsat1.

  At time t8, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCT2S from the Lo level to the Hi level. Thereby, the capacitive element 18 samples the second optical signal.

  At time t9, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCT2S from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the capacitive element 18 holds the second optical signal.

  At time t10, a vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PSEL from the Hi level to the Lo level. The control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PSEL output to the pixels 102 in another row from the Lo level to the Hi level. Thereafter, by repeating the above operation, the reference signal and the optical signal output from the pixels 102 in each row are read out.

As described above, when the limiting circuit 152 included in the first amplifier circuit 140 is deactivated, the amplitude of the first reference signal increases according to the leakage of charge from the photodiode 110 to the FD 95. Therefore, when the CDS process for obtaining the difference between the second reference signal held by the capacitive element 19 and the second optical signal held by the capacitive element 18 is performed, the amplitude of the second optical signal after the CDS process is equal to the incident light. It becomes smaller than the original amplitude corresponding to the amount of light. In the example shown in FIG. 4, both the second reference signal and the second optical signal are at the signal level of the potential Vsat1. Therefore, Vsig obtained by subtracting the second reference signal from the second optical signal is
Vsig = Vsat1-Vsat1 = 0 (1)
It becomes. Accordingly, a blackening phenomenon occurs where an image that is supposed to be white as a picture sinks black.

  Next, a case where the limiting circuit 152 is operated will be described. A control circuit (not shown) sets the signal level of the signal PCLP_EN to the Hi level before time t1. Thereby, the limiting circuit 152 that receives the signal PCLP_EN is in an operable state.

  When the reset of the first amplifier circuit 140 is released at time t2, the amplitude of the first reference signal increases in accordance with the increase in the amplitude of the reference signal. However, when the potential Vref changes to the potential V4, the limit circuit 152 limits the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 by the limit circuit 152. Thus, even if the amplitude of the reference signal increases until the signal level of the signal PCLP_EN at time t6 changes from the Hi level to the Lo level, the signal level of the first reference signal is limited to the potential V4.

  The second amplifier circuit 145 is reset until the signal level of the signal PRES2 changes from the Hi level to the Lo level at time t3. Even when the signal level of the first reference signal changes from the potential Vref to the potential V4, the second amplifier circuit 145 is still reset. Therefore, even if the signal level of the first reference signal changes from the potential Vref to the potential V4, the signal level of the second reference signal does not change.

  At time t3, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES2 from the Hi level to the Lo level. As a result, the reset of the second amplifier circuit 145 is released. The capacitive element 13-1 clamps the output of the limiting circuit 152. A difference signal, which is a difference signal between the output signal of the limiting circuit 152 clamped by the capacitive element 13-1 and the first optical signal, is input to the second amplifier circuit 145. The second amplifier circuit 145 generates a second optical signal by amplifying the difference signal.

  Further, the signal level of the first reference signal is limited to the potential V4 until time t6. Therefore, the signal level of the second reference signal also remains at the potential Vref until time t6.

  At time t5, the signal level of the signal PCT2N changes from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the capacitive element 19 holds the second reference signal which is the signal level of the potential Vref.

  At time t6, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCLP_EN from the Hi level to the Lo level. As a result, the restriction on the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 by the restriction circuit 152 is released. At time t6, the vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Lo level to the Hi level. The vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Hi level to the Lo level at time t7. Since the limiting circuit 152 is inactive, the first amplifier circuit 140 can output the first optical signal to the second amplifier circuit 145. The operation after time t8 is the same as that described above.

The capacitive element 18 holds the second optical signal. The capacitive element 19 holds the second reference signal having the potential Vref. Therefore, when the limiting circuit 152 is operated, the capacitive element 19 holds the second reference signal having the potential Vref. Therefore, Vsig obtained by subtracting the second reference signal from the second optical signal is
Vsig = Vsat1-Vref (2)
It becomes. Therefore, even if the second optical signal and the second reference signal are subtracted, the blackening phenomenon does not occur.

  Therefore, the occurrence of the blackening phenomenon can be suppressed by including the limiting circuit 152 in the first amplifier circuit 140.

  It has been found that the following problem arises when the first amplifier circuit 140 is not provided with a limiting circuit and the second amplifier circuit 145 is provided with a limiting circuit.

If the first amplifier circuit 140 is not provided with a limiting circuit, it is assumed that the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject as indicated by the solid line in FIG. In this case, the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 is not limited. Therefore, the first reference signal reaches the saturation level potential Vsat0 of the first amplifier circuit 140. However, the output of the second amplifier circuit 145 is limited by the limiting circuit provided in the second amplifier circuit 145. Therefore, the signal level of the second reference signal does not reach the potential Vsat1, but is limited to the output level by the limiting circuit. This output limitation is set to a potential V5 (not shown) having an amplitude larger than that of the potential Vref. This potential V5 is
V5 = Vref + X (3)
Represented as:

Thereafter, the optical signal is output to the first amplifier circuit 140. Since the signal level of the first reference signal has already reached the saturation level, the signal level of the first optical signal is the potential Vsat0 of the saturation level. On the other hand, the limiting circuit of the second amplifier circuit 145 cancels the output limitation of the second amplifier circuit 145. For this reason, the signal level of the second optical signal reaches the potential Vsat1 of the saturation level of the second amplifier circuit 145. Therefore, Vsig of the difference between the second optical signal and the second reference signal is
Vsig = Vsat1-V5 (4)
It becomes.

When formula (3) is introduced into formula (4),
Vsig = Vsat1-Vref-X (5)
Represented as:

  As described above, the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment can appropriately suppress the blackening phenomenon by including the limiting circuit 152 that limits the amplitudes of the first optical signal and the first reference signal.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, after the first reference signal reaches the second potential V4 limited by the limit circuit 152, the capacitive element 13-1 outputs the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 (the output of the limit circuit 152). ). If the capacitive element 13-1 clamps before the first reference signal reaches the second potential V4, the amplitude of the second reference signal increases from the potential Vref. Therefore, the range that can be taken by Vsig obtained by subtracting the second reference signal from the second optical signal is narrowed by the amount that the amplitude of the second reference signal is changed from the potential Vref. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the second reference signal can be kept at the potential Vref because the capacitive element 13-1 performs clamping after reaching the second potential V4 limited by the limiting circuit 152. Thereby, the narrowing of the range which Vsig which deducted the 2nd reference signal from the 2nd optical signal can take can be controlled. That is, a decrease in the dynamic range of an image generated using Vsig is suppressed.

  In this embodiment, one column circuit unit is provided for one column of pixels 102. As another example, one column circuit unit may be provided for a plurality of columns of pixels 102. A plurality of column circuit units may be provided for one column of pixels 102. Such an arrangement is included in the category of an example in which each of a plurality of column circuit portions is provided corresponding to a column in which pixels are arranged.

  The limiting circuit 152 is included in the first amplifier circuit 140, but is not limited to this example. That is, it is only necessary for the imaging apparatus to have a limiting circuit 152 that limits the output of the first amplifier circuit 140. For example, a configuration in which one limiting circuit 152 is shared by a plurality of column circuits may be employed.

  In this embodiment, the sample hold circuit 105 holds the second optical signal as an analog signal and the second reference signal as an analog signal. The present invention is not limited to this example, and an AD conversion circuit that converts the output of the second amplifier circuit 145 into a digital signal may be further provided. The AD conversion circuit converts the second optical signal and the second reference signal into digital signals, respectively. The sample hold circuit 105 may hold the second optical signal converted into the digital signal and the second reference signal.

  In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the outputs of both the first amplifier circuit 140 and the second amplifier circuit 145 reach saturation when the limiting circuit 152 is not operating. The present embodiment is not limited to this example. Depending on the amplification factor set in each of the first amplifier circuit 140 and the second amplifier circuit 145, the first reference signal of the first amplifier circuit 140 does not reach the saturation level, but the second reference of the second amplifier circuit 145 is not reached. There may be instances where the signal reaches saturation. Even in such a case, the restriction circuit 152 restricts the first reference signal and the first optical signal of the first amplifier circuit 140, whereby the occurrence of the blackening phenomenon can be suppressed. Even if the second amplifier circuit 145 does not reach the saturation level, the limit circuit 152 limits the signal level of the first reference signal of the first amplifier circuit 140, so that the effect of this embodiment is achieved.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the first amplifier of the first amplifier circuit 140 is a differential amplifier is shown. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first amplifier may be a common source amplifier circuit.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the first amplifier circuit 140 includes the limiting circuit 152 has been described. Further, the second amplifier circuit 145 may be provided with a second limiting circuit as a limiting circuit. In this case, the following forms can be dealt with. When the reset of the second amplifier circuit 145 is released, the potential of the first reference signal is assumed to be the potential Vx having a smaller amplitude than the potential that is restricted by the restriction circuit 152. Then, after the reset of the second amplifier circuit 145 is released, the first reference signal is limited to the potential limited by the limiting circuit 152 during a period from time t5 when the signal level of the signal PCT2N changes from the Hi level to the Lo level. Reach V4. Depending on the potential change from the potential Vx to the potential V4, the second reference signal may reach the saturation level potential Vsat1 depending on the amplification factor of the second amplifier circuit 145. In such a case, the second amplifier circuit 145 includes the second limiting circuit, so that the second reference signal can be limited to a potential having a smaller amplitude than the potential Vsat1. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the blackening phenomenon can further be suppressed.

  Note that the capacitance value of the capacitive element 13-1 and the capacitive value of the capacitive element 14-2 may be the same, and the amplification factor of the second amplifier circuit 145 may be set to 1.

(Example 2)
The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the column amplifier 104 of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment, the first amplifier circuit 140 is an inverting amplifier circuit, and the second amplifier circuit 145 is a non-inverting amplifier circuit. In the column amplification unit of the image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment, both the first amplification circuit and the second amplification circuit are inverting amplification circuits.

  The configuration of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the pixel 102, the column amplification unit 104a, and the sample hold circuit 105a of the present embodiment. 6, members having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG. The column amplification unit 104a of the present embodiment includes a first amplification circuit 140 and a second amplification circuit 160. Both the first amplifier circuit 140 and the second amplifier circuit 160 are inverting amplifier circuits.

  The second amplifier circuit 160 includes an amplifier 161, a capacitive element 162, a capacitive element 163, and a switch 164. When the switch 164 is turned off, the second amplifier circuit 160 amplifies the signal output from the first amplifier circuit 140 at an amplification factor represented by the capacitance value of the capacitor 162 / the capacitance value of the capacitor 163. Output to the sample hold circuit 105a.

  FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG.

  The signal PRES2 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a signal output to the switch 164 from a control circuit (not illustrated). Further, Vout2 shown in FIG. 7 indicates the output of the second amplifier circuit 160.

  In the potential VLine illustrated in FIG. 7, the solid line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject. On the other hand, the broken line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a low to medium luminance subject.

  In the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, the broken lines indicate the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a low to medium luminance subject. In the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 152 operates. Further, in the outputs Vout1 and Vout2, solid lines indicate potentials when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 152 is not operating.

  The operation shown in FIG. 7 is the same as the operation shown in FIG. The saturation level of the output of the second amplifier circuit 160 is the potential Vsat2.

  In the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first amplifier circuit 140 includes the limiting circuit 152. Thus, Vsig = Vref−Vsat2 can be obtained when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject. Thereby, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment can also suppress the occurrence of the blackening phenomenon when shooting a high-luminance subject.

  Further, as in the operation shown at time t3 in FIG. 7, in the imaging apparatus of this embodiment, the capacitor 162 also clamps the potential V4 of the first reference signal limited by the limiting circuit 152. Thereby, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment also has the same effect as the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

(Example 3)
The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment in that each of the first amplifier circuit and the second amplifier circuit is a fully differential amplifier circuit.

  The configuration of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the column amplifier 104a and the sample hold circuit 105a of this embodiment. The column amplifier 104 a includes a first amplifier circuit 200 and a second amplifier circuit 250. Each of the first amplifier circuit 200 and the second amplifier circuit 250 is a fully differential amplifier circuit.

  The first amplifier circuit 200 includes a capacitive element 205-1, a capacitive element 205-2, a capacitive element 210-1, a capacitive element 210-2, a switch 220-1, a switch 220-2, a switch 245-1, and a switch 245-2. Have Further, the first amplifier circuit 200 includes an amplifier 251 and a limiting circuit 253. A signal output from the pixel 102 to the vertical signal line 103a is input to Vin shown in FIG.

  The second amplifier circuit 250 includes a capacitive element 255-1, a capacitive element 255-2, a capacitive element 260-1, a capacitive element 260-2, a switch 270-1, and a switch 270-2. Further, the second amplifier circuit 250 has an amplifier 261.

The sample hold circuit 105 a includes a switch 300-1, a switch 300-2, a capacitor element 61, and a capacitor element 62.
The switches 180-1 and 180-2 are controlled by a common signal Pin.
The switches 220-1 and 220-3 are controlled by a common signal PRES1.
The switches 245-1 and 245-2 are controlled by a common signal PCT1.
The switches 270-1 and 270-2 are controlled by a common signal PRES2.
The switches 300-1 and 300-2 are controlled by a common signal PCT2.

  FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus shown in FIG.

  The potential Vout1m, the potential Vout1p, the potential Vout2p, and the potential Vout2m illustrated in FIG. 9 are the potentials of the nodes illustrated in FIG.

  In the potential VLine shown in FIG. 9, the solid line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject. On the other hand, the broken line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a low to medium luminance subject.

  Note that, in the potential Vout1m, the potential Vout1p, the potential Vout2p, and the potential Vout2m, the broken line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a subject with low to medium luminance. In addition, in the potential Vout1m, the potential Vout1p, the potential Vout2p, and the potential Vout2m, a one-dot chain line indicates a potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 152 operates. . In addition, in the potential Vout1m, the potential Vout1p, the potential Vout2p, and the potential Vout2m, the solid line indicates the potential when the photodiode 110 receives light from a high-luminance subject when the limiting circuit 253 is not operating. .

  At time t2, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES1 from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the reset of the first amplifier circuit 200 is released.

  A case where light of a high brightness subject is incident on the photodiode 110 will be described.

  In this case, the potential Vout1m increases and the potential Vout1p decreases as the potential VLine decreases. Thereafter, the potential Vout1m reaches the potential Vsat10 that is the saturation level, and the potential Vout1p reaches the potential Vsat15 that is the saturation level.

  At time t3, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES2 from the Hi level to the Lo level. Thereby, the reset of the second amplifier circuit 250 is released.

  The second amplifier circuit 250 outputs a signal obtained by amplifying the potential changed from the reference with the potential V41d0 of the potential Vout1m at the time t3 and the potential V41d1 of the potential Vout1p at the time t3.

  When the potential Vout1m reaches the saturation level potential Vsat10 and the potential Vout1p reaches the saturation level potential Vsat15, the change in the potentials Vout2p and Vout2m ends. The potential Vout2p is the potential V6d0, and the potential Vout2m is the potential V6d1.

  Thereafter, a vertical scanning circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Lo level to the Hi level, and then changes from the Hi level to the Lo level. However, since the potential Vout1m and the potential Vout1p that are the outputs of the first amplifier circuit 200 have already reached the saturation level, the potential Vout1m and the potential Vout1p do not change from the saturation level even if the potential VLine decreases. .

  Thereafter, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PCT2 from the Lo level to the Hi level at time t8, and then from the Hi level to the Lo level at time t9. Accordingly, the capacitor 61 holds the potential V6d1 of the potential Vout2m. Further, the capacitor 62 holds the potential V6d0 of the potential Vout2p.

  Accordingly, the potential Vout2p that is the output of the second amplifier circuit 250 remains at the potential V6d0, and the potential Vout2m also remains at the potential V6d1. The potential V6d0 of the potential Vout2p has a smaller amplitude than the potential Vsat20 that is the saturation level of the potential Vout2p. Further, the potential V6d1 of the potential Vout2m has a smaller amplitude than the potential Vsat25 that is the saturation level of the potential Vout2m. Therefore, a blackening phenomenon occurs where a portion of the image that should originally appear as white sinks black.

  The blackening phenomenon that occurs in the imaging apparatuses of the first and second embodiments is caused by performing CDS processing that obtains the difference between the second optical signal and the second reference signal.

  On the other hand, the blackening phenomenon that occurs in the imaging apparatus of this embodiment is such that the output of the first amplifier circuit 200 is saturated and the output of the second amplifier circuit 250 is not saturated before the pixel 102 outputs an optical signal. It happens by that. This state occurs depending on the setting conditions of the amplification factors of the first amplifier circuit 200 and the second amplifier circuit. Alternatively, this state is caused by a time difference from when the signal level of the signal PRES1 changes from the Hi level to the Lo level until the signal level of the signal PRES2 changes from the Hi level to the Lo level.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a limiting circuit 253 in the first amplifier circuit 200. A case where the limiting circuit 253 limits the output of the first amplifier circuit 200 will be described.

  A control circuit (not shown) sets the signal level of the signal PCLP_EN to the Hi level over a period from time t1 to time t6. Thereby, the limiting circuit 253 is in an operable state.

  After the potential Vout1m and the potential Vout1p change from time t2, the limiting circuit 253 limits the potential Vout1m with the potential V4d0 and limits the potential Vout1p with the potential V4d1.

  Thereafter, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal PRES2 from the Hi level to the Lo level.

  The potential Vout2p and the potential Vout2m remain at the potential Vm until time t6 when the vertical scanning circuit (not illustrated) changes the signal level of the signal PTX from the Lo level to the Hi level.

  At time t6, a control circuit (not shown) sets the signal PCLP_EN to Lo level. Thereby, the limiting circuit 253 becomes non-operation. Therefore, the potential Vout1m reaches the saturation level potential Vsat10, and the potential Vout1p reaches the saturation level potential Vsat15. Upon receiving the potential Vout1m and the potential Vout1p, the potential Vout2p reaches the saturation level potential Vsat20, and the potential Vout2m reaches the saturation level potential Vsat25. At time t9, the capacitive element 61 and the capacitive element 62 hold their potentials.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment, one column amplification unit 104 includes a plurality of fully differential amplification circuits. Also in this configuration, since the first amplifier circuit 200 includes the limiting circuit 253, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of the blackening phenomenon.

  As in the operation shown at time t3 in FIG. 9, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment also receives the first reference signal limited by the limiting circuit 253 by the capacitive element 255-1 and the capacitive element 255-2. Clamping. Thereby, the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment can also obtain the same effect as the imaging apparatus of the first embodiment.

  Note that the capacitive element 255-1, the capacitive element 255-2, the capacitive element 260-1, and the capacitive element 260-2 may all have the same capacitance value, and the amplification factor of the second amplifier circuit 250 may be 1.

Example 4
The imaging apparatus of the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  The configuration of the imaging apparatus of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. The configurations of the column amplifier 104 and the sample hold circuit 105 are also the same as those shown in FIG.

  The imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the restriction circuit 152 is set in an operable state even during a period in which the pixel 102 outputs an optical signal.

  FIG. 10 is a timing diagram illustrating the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the signal level of the signal PCLP_EN is Hi level from time t1 to time t10, and that the signal VCLP is further output from the control circuit (not shown) to the limiting circuit 152. The signal VCLP is a signal that controls a potential at which the limit circuit 152 limits the output of the first amplifier circuit 140.

  The signal level of the signal VCLP is the Lo level (VCLP2) during the period from time t1 to time t6. The signal level of the signal VCLP is the Hi level (VCLP1) during the period from time t6 to time t10.

  The operation from time t1 to time t6 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  At time t6, a control circuit (not shown) changes the signal level of the signal VCLP from the Lo level to the Hi level. Thereby, the limit of the output of the first amplifier circuit 140 is changed from the potential V4 to the potential V10.

  As a result, the amplitude of the first optical signal after time t7 is limited to the potential V10. By limiting the first optical signal to the potential V10, the second optical signal that is the output of the second amplifier circuit 145 is less likely to be saturated. Further, the first optical signal of the first amplifier circuit 140 is not saturated. In the case where the current source 101 is provided in the first amplifier of the first amplifier circuit 140, the limit circuit 152 detects the current fluctuation of the current source 101 caused by saturation of the output of the first amplifier circuit 140, and the amplitude of the first optical signal. By restricting the range, it can be suppressed. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the electric potential of the power supply wiring (for example, grounding wiring) connected to the current source is suppressed. This power supply wiring is commonly connected to the first amplifier circuits 140 of the plurality of column circuits. The fluctuation of the potential of the power supply wiring propagates to the column circuits in other columns. Therefore, the saturation of the output of the first optical signal of the first amplifier circuit 140 causes the first optical signals of other column circuits to fluctuate. This variation spreads to adjacent column circuits centering on the column circuit in which the output of the first optical signal is saturated. Therefore, the fluctuation of the first optical signal appears as a smear (lateral smear) spreading in a horizontal streak shape from the portion where the first optical signal is saturated in the image. In the present embodiment, since the limiting circuit 152 does not cause the first amplifier circuit 140 to be saturated, the occurrence of lateral smear can be reduced.

  Since the limit circuit 152 also limits the output of the first reference signal, the second optical signal output from the second amplifier circuit 145 is less likely to be saturated. Also in the second amplifier circuit 145, when a current source is provided in the second amplifier 153, current fluctuation of the current source caused by saturation of the output of the second amplifier circuit 145 can be suppressed. Thereby, the fluctuation | variation of the electric potential of the power supply wiring (for example, grounding wiring) connected to the current source is suppressed. This power supply wiring is commonly connected to the second amplifier circuits 145 of the plurality of column circuits. The fluctuation of the potential of the power supply wiring propagates to the column circuits in other columns. Therefore, the saturation of the output of the second optical signal of the second amplifier circuit 145 causes the second optical signals of other column circuits to fluctuate. This variation spreads to adjacent column circuits centering around the column circuit in which the output of the second optical signal is saturated. Therefore, the fluctuation of the second optical signal appears as a smear (lateral smear) spreading in a horizontal streak shape from the portion where the second optical signal is saturated in the image. In this embodiment, the limiting circuit 152 makes it difficult for the second amplifier circuit 145 to saturate, thereby reducing the occurrence of lateral smear.

  Note that the limitation of the amplitude of the first optical signal by the limiting circuit 152 can also be applied to the imaging devices of the second and third embodiments.

(Example 5)
The present embodiment relates to an imaging system having the imaging devices of Embodiments 1 to 4.

  Examples of the imaging system include a digital still camera, a digital camcorder, and a surveillance camera. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram when an imaging apparatus is applied to a digital still camera as an example of the imaging system.

  The imaging system illustrated in FIG. 11 includes a barrier 1501 for protecting a lens, a lens 1502 for forming an optical image of a subject on the imaging device 1504, and a diaphragm 1503 for changing the amount of light passing through the lens 1502. A lens 1502 and a diaphragm 1503 are optical systems that condense light on the imaging device 1504. In addition, the imaging system illustrated in FIG. 11 includes an output signal processing unit 1505 that processes an output signal output from the imaging device 1504. The output signal processing unit 1505 performs an operation of outputting a signal after performing various corrections and compressions as necessary.

  The imaging system illustrated in FIG. 11 further includes a buffer memory unit 1506 for temporarily storing image data, and an external interface unit 1507 for communicating with an external computer or the like. The imaging system further includes a removable recording medium 1509 such as a semiconductor memory for recording or reading imaging data, and a recording medium control interface unit 1508 for recording or reading to the recording medium 1509. The imaging system further includes an overall control / arithmetic unit 1510 that controls various calculations and the entire digital still camera, and a timing supply unit 1511 that outputs various timing signals to the imaging device 1504 and the output signal processing unit 1505. Here, a timing signal or the like may be input from the outside, and the imaging system may include at least the imaging device 1504 and an output signal processing unit 1505 that processes an output signal output from the imaging device 1504.

  As described above, the imaging system of this embodiment can perform an imaging operation by applying the imaging device 1504.

  It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof. Also, the embodiments described so far can be implemented in various combinations.

13-1, 162, 255-1, 255-2 Capacitance element 102 pixels 104 column amplifier 105 sample hold circuit 140 first amplifier circuit 145 second amplifier circuit 152 limiting circuit

Claims (6)

A pixel that outputs a noise signal and an optical signal based on light, and
An imaging apparatus having an amplifying unit to which the noise signal and the optical signal are respectively input from the pixels,
The amplification unit includes a first amplification circuit and a second amplification circuit,
The first amplification circuit outputs a first reference signal obtained by amplifying the noise signal and a first optical signal obtained by amplifying the optical signal to the second amplification circuit, respectively.
The second amplifier circuit includes a capacitive element and an amplifier,
The imaging apparatus further includes a limiting circuit that is connected to an output node of the first amplifier circuit and limits an amplitude of the first reference signal output from the first amplifier circuit;
The capacitive element is provided in an electrical path between the limiting circuit and an input node of the amplifier;
The imaging device, wherein the capacitive element clamps the first reference signal whose amplitude is limited by the limiting circuit. A difference signal of a difference between the first optical signal and the first reference signal clamped by the capacitive element is input to the amplifier of the second amplifier circuit;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second amplifier circuit outputs a second optical signal that is a signal obtained by amplifying the difference signal. The second amplifier circuit further outputs a second reference signal based on the first reference signal clamped by the capacitive element,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second limiting circuit that limits respective amplitudes of the second reference signal and the second optical signal.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the first amplifier circuit and the second amplifier circuit are fully differential amplifier circuits.   5. The amplitude of the first optical signal limited by the limiting circuit is larger than the amplitude of the first reference signal limited by the limiting circuit. 6. Imaging device.   An imaging system comprising: the imaging device according to claim 1; and a signal processing unit that generates an image by processing a signal output from the imaging device.

Images