JPH06132322A - Charge detecting circuit - Google Patents

Charge detecting circuit

Info

Publication number
JPH06132322A
JPH06132322A JP4280006A JP28000692A JPH06132322A JP H06132322 A JPH06132322 A JP H06132322A JP 4280006 A JP4280006 A JP 4280006A JP 28000692 A JP28000692 A JP 28000692A JP H06132322 A JPH06132322 A JP H06132322A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
circuit
output
wiring
conductor
charge detection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP4280006A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Mitsuo Tamura
光夫 田村
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Panasonic Holdings Corp
Original Assignee
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
Priority to JP4280006A priority Critical patent/JPH06132322A/en
Publication of JPH06132322A publication Critical patent/JPH06132322A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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  • Solid State Image Pick-Up Elements (AREA)
  • Transforming Light Signals Into Electric Signals (AREA)

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a charge detecting circuit, which makes it possible to perform a sensitivity control according to an illuminance and prevents the input range of an external circuit from being saturated to be capable of enlarging a dynamic range. CONSTITUTION:A charge detecting circuit is provided with a charge detecting part 2, an output buffer circuit 5, an amplifier circuit 7, which inputs an output signal and an be exercised a gain control from the outside, and a conductor 8 formed in parallel to a wiring 6 for connecting the part 2 with the circuit 5 and this conductor 8 and the side of the output of the circuit 7 are connected to each other and a voltage gain of the circuit 7 is changed according to an illuminance, whereby an equivalent sense capacitance is changed and a sensitivity control is performed.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】この発明は、CCD遅延素子や固
体撮像素子の出力部に用いられる電荷検出回路に関する
ものである。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charge detection circuit used in an output section of a CCD delay element or a solid-state image pickup element.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】映像信号の遅延に使われるCCD遅延素
子やビデオカメラに使われるCCD固体撮像素子の出力
部は、電位変化ΔV=電荷量変化ΔQ÷容量Cの関係を
利用して信号電荷を検出するようにしている。図3は、
従来のCCD固体撮像素子の出力部の構成を示す概略図
である。同図において、1は半導体基板である。2は電
荷検出部で、半導体基板1内に電位的に浮いた基板とは
反対導伝型の浮遊拡散層3と浮遊拡散層3の電位を定期
的にリセットするリセット用FET4とから構成されて
いる。5は出力バッファ回路で、MOSFETを用いた
2段ソースフォロワで形成されている。6は電荷検出部
2と出力バッファ回路5とを接続する配線である。
2. Description of the Related Art An output portion of a CCD delay element used for delaying a video signal or a CCD solid-state image sensor used for a video camera uses a relationship of potential change ΔV = charge amount change ΔQ ÷ capacitance C to store signal charge. I'm trying to detect. Figure 3
It is the schematic which shows the structure of the output part of the conventional CCD solid-state image sensor. In the figure, 1 is a semiconductor substrate. Reference numeral 2 denotes a charge detection unit, which is composed of a floating diffusion layer 3 of a conduction type opposite to the substrate floating in the semiconductor substrate 1 and a reset FET 4 for periodically resetting the potential of the floating diffusion layer 3. There is. Reference numeral 5 is an output buffer circuit, which is formed by a two-stage source follower using MOSFETs. Reference numeral 6 is a wiring that connects the charge detection unit 2 and the output buffer circuit 5.

【0003】また、CFDは浮遊拡散層3の容量、CLN
配線6の配線容量、CINは出力バッファ回路5の入力容
量を示し、VDDは出力バッファ回路5の電源、VGは
出力バッファ回路5を構成する2段ソースフォロワのロ
ードFET用ゲート電圧、VRDは電荷検出部2のリセ
ット電位を示す。φRはリセット用FETを制御するリ
セットパルスである。
C FD is the capacitance of the floating diffusion layer 3, C LN is the wiring capacitance of the wiring 6, C IN is the input capacitance of the output buffer circuit 5, VDD is the power supply of the output buffer circuit 5, and VG is the output buffer. The load FET gate voltage of the two-stage source follower that constitutes the circuit 5, VRD indicates the reset potential of the charge detection unit 2. φR is a reset pulse for controlling the reset FET.

【0004】上記のように構成された従来のCCD固体
撮像素子の出力部動作について以下説明する。まず、リ
セット用FET4をオンにして浮遊拡散層3の電位を一
定のリセット電位VRDに保つ。その後、このリセット
用FET4をオフにする。ホトダイオードで光電変換さ
れて生じた信号電荷は,図示しない垂直転送CCDおよ
び水平転送CCDによって順次浮遊拡散層3に転送され
る。浮遊拡散層3の電位は信号電荷によってリセット電
位VRDから変化し、この電位変化が、出力バッファ5
を通して出力される。
The operation of the output section of the conventional CCD solid-state image pickup device constructed as described above will be described below. First, the reset FET 4 is turned on to keep the potential of the floating diffusion layer 3 at a constant reset potential VRD. After that, the reset FET 4 is turned off. The signal charges generated by photoelectric conversion by the photodiode are sequentially transferred to the floating diffusion layer 3 by a vertical transfer CCD and a horizontal transfer CCD (not shown). The potential of the floating diffusion layer 3 changes from the reset potential VRD due to the signal charge, and this change in potential is caused by the output buffer 5
Is output through.

【0005】図4に示すように、出力信号波形は、浮遊
拡散層3がリセット電位VRDにリセットされるリセッ
ト期間TR、リセットから信号電荷が流入するまでのフ
ィードスルー期間T1、信号電荷が流入する信号期間T
2からなる。信号電荷は、水平転送期間Tcを1画素分
(ホトダイオード1個分)として、全画素が時系列的に
出力される。
As shown in FIG. 4, the output signal waveform has a reset period TR in which the floating diffusion layer 3 is reset to the reset potential VRD, a feed-through period T1 from resetting until signal charges flow in, and signal charges flow in. Signal period T
It consists of two. With respect to the signal charge, all pixels are output in time series with the horizontal transfer period Tc as one pixel (one photodiode).

【0006】このような出力部において、信号電荷をQ
S と出力信号VOの関係は、センス容量をCS 、出力バ
ッファ回路の電圧ゲインをGとすると、( 数1) に示す
ようになる。
In such an output section, the signal charge is Q
The relationship between S and the output signal VO is as shown in (Equation 1) where C S is the sense capacitance and G is the voltage gain of the output buffer circuit.

【0007】[0007]

【数1】VO=G・QS /CS また、センス容量CS は、浮遊拡散層3の容量CFD、配
線6の配線容量CLN、出力バッファ回路の入力容量CIN
との間に(数2)に示す関係がある。
[Formula 1] VO = G · Q S / C S Further , the sense capacitance C S is the capacitance C FD of the floating diffusion layer 3, the wiring capacitance C LN of the wiring 6, and the input capacitance C IN of the output buffer circuit.
And the relationship shown in (Equation 2).

【0008】[0008]

【数2】CS =CFD+CLN+CIN したがって、CCD固体撮像素子の出力部の感度は(数
3)に示すようになる。
[Number 2] Thus C S = C FD + C LN + C IN, the sensitivity of the output portion of the CCD solid-state image pickup device is as shown in equation (3).

【0009】[0009]

【数3】感度=VO/QS =G/CS =G/(CFD+C
LN+CIN
[Expression 3] Sensitivity = VO / Q S = G / C S = G / (C FD + C
LN + C IN )

【0010】[0010]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】上記した従来のCCD
固体撮像素子の出力部の構成では、低照度時のS/Nを
改善するためにセンス容量CS を小さくして感度を上げ
ると、標準照度や飽和照度の時に出力信号が大きくなり
すぎ、CCD固体撮像素子の出力信号を処理する外部回
路の入力レンジが飽和し、ダイナミックレンジが低下す
るという問題点があった。
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The conventional CCD described above.
In the configuration of the output unit of the solid-state image sensor, if the sense capacitance C S is reduced to improve the sensitivity in order to improve the S / N at low illuminance, the output signal becomes too large at the standard illuminance or saturated illuminance, and the CCD There is a problem that the input range of the external circuit that processes the output signal of the solid-state image sensor is saturated and the dynamic range is reduced.

【0011】したがって、この発明の目的は、出力部の
感度を照度に対応して調整することができ、外部回路の
入力レンジの飽和を防止してダイナミックレンジを拡大
することができる電荷検出回路を提供することである。
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a charge detection circuit capable of adjusting the sensitivity of the output section in accordance with the illuminance, preventing the saturation of the input range of the external circuit, and expanding the dynamic range. Is to provide.

【0012】[0012]

【課題を解決するための手段】この発明の電荷検出回路
は、電荷検出部と、電荷検出部の出力信号を入力する出
力バッファ回路と、出力信号を入力し外部から利得制御
可能な増幅回路と、電荷検出部と出力バッファ回路とを
接続する配線と並行に形成された導体を備え、この導体
と増幅回路の出力側とを接続している。
A charge detection circuit according to the present invention comprises a charge detection section, an output buffer circuit for inputting an output signal of the charge detection section, and an amplifier circuit for inputting the output signal and controlling a gain from the outside. A conductor that is formed in parallel with the wiring that connects the charge detection unit and the output buffer circuit is provided, and the conductor is connected to the output side of the amplifier circuit.

【0013】[0013]

【作用】この発明の構成によれば、出力信号を入力し外
部から利得制御可能な増幅回路と、電荷検出部と出力バ
ッファ回路とを接続する配線と並行に形成された導体を
備え、この導体と増幅回路の出力側とを接続しているの
で、出力信号に対する配線と導体間の等価的な配線容量
を増幅回路の電圧ゲインによって変化させてセンス容量
を変化させることができ、出力部の感度を照度に対応し
て調整することができる。
According to the structure of the present invention, it is provided with an amplifier circuit for inputting an output signal and capable of gain control from the outside, and a conductor formed in parallel with a wiring connecting the charge detection unit and the output buffer circuit. Since the amplifier and the output side of the amplifier circuit are connected, the equivalent wiring capacitance between the wiring and the conductor for the output signal can be changed by the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit to change the sense capacitance. Can be adjusted according to the illuminance.

【0014】[0014]

【実施例】以下この発明の実施例を図面を参照しながら
説明する。図1は、この発明の実施例であるCCD固体
撮像素子の出力部を形成する電荷検出回路の構成を示す
概略図で、同図において、従来例を示す図3と同符号を
付したものは同じものを示す。この実施例は、従来例に
対して外部から利得制御可能な増幅回路7と電荷検出部
2と出力バッファ回路5の入力を接続する配線6と並行
に形成された導体8が別途設けられ、この導体8と増幅
回路7の出力側とを接続している。この実施例の場合、
導体8は配線6の下層に形成されている。
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a charge detection circuit forming an output portion of a CCD solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Show the same. In this embodiment, an amplifier circuit 7 whose gain can be controlled from the outside, a conductor 6 formed in parallel with a wiring 6 for connecting the inputs of the charge detection unit 2 and the output buffer circuit 5 are provided separately from the conventional example. The conductor 8 and the output side of the amplifier circuit 7 are connected. In this example,
The conductor 8 is formed in the lower layer of the wiring 6.

【0015】図1において、従来例を示す図3と同様
に、CFDは浮遊拡散層3の容量、CLNは配線6と導体8
間の配線容量、CINは出力バッファ回路5の入力容量を
示し、VDDは出力バッファ回路5の電源、VGは出力
バッファ回路5を構成する2段ソースフォロワのロード
FET用ゲート電圧、VRDは電荷検出部2のリセット
電位、φRはリセット用FETを制御するリセットパル
ス、VGCは増幅回路7の利得を制御する利得制御信号
を示す。
In FIG. 1, similarly to FIG. 3 showing the conventional example, C FD is the capacitance of the floating diffusion layer 3, and C LN is the wiring 6 and the conductor 8.
The wiring capacitance between them, C IN indicates the input capacitance of the output buffer circuit 5, VDD is the power supply of the output buffer circuit 5, VG is the gate voltage for the load FET of the two-stage source follower configuring the output buffer circuit 5, and VRD is the charge. The reset potential of the detection unit 2, φR is a reset pulse for controlling the reset FET, and VGC is a gain control signal for controlling the gain of the amplifier circuit 7.

【0016】以上のように構成された電荷検出回路を用
いたCCD固体撮像素子の出力部の動作について説明す
る。まず、この発明の原理となる容量についての考え方
を図2を用いて説明する。図2(a)に示すように、容
量Cの他端子をDC電位に固定したとき、信号VINか
らみた等価容量Ceq1 は(数4)に示すようになる。
The operation of the output section of the CCD solid-state image pickup device using the charge detection circuit configured as described above will be described. First, the concept of the capacity, which is the principle of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the other terminal of the capacitance C is fixed to the DC potential, the equivalent capacitance C eq1 seen from the signal VIN becomes as shown in ( Equation 4).

【0017】[0017]

【数4】 Ceq1 =ΔQ/ΔVIN=C・(VIN−0)/VIN=C 一方、図2(b)に示すように、容量Cの他端子にA・
VINの信号が接続されたとき、信号VINからみた容
量Ceq2 は(数5)に示すようになる。
[ Equation 4] C eq1 = ΔQ / ΔVIN = C · (VIN−0) / VIN = C On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
When the VIN signal is connected, the capacitance C eq2 seen from the signal VIN becomes as shown in ( Equation 5).

【0018】[0018]

【数5】 Ceq2 =ΔQ/ΔVIN=C・(VIN−A・VIN)/VIN =(1−A)・C 電荷検出の基本動作は従来例と同様であるが、増幅回路
7の電圧ゲインをB(B≧0)とすると、増幅回路7の
出力はB・vs となる。したがって、(数5)により出
力信号vs に対する配線6と導体9問の等価的な配線容
量は(1−B)・CLNとなり、センス容量は(数6)、
感度は(数7)に示すようになる。
[ Equation 5] C eq2 = ΔQ / ΔVIN = C · (VIN−A · VIN) / VIN = (1−A) · C The basic operation of charge detection is the same as the conventional example, but the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit 7 is Is B (B ≧ 0), the output of the amplifier circuit 7 is B · v s . Therefore, according to (Equation 5), the equivalent wiring capacitance of the wiring 6 and the conductor 9 for the output signal v s is (1-B) · C LN , and the sense capacitance is (Equation 6),
The sensitivity is as shown in (Equation 7).

【0019】[0019]

【数6】CS =CFD+(1−B)・CLN+CIN [Equation 6] C S = C FD + (1-B) ・ C LN + C IN

【0020】[0020]

【数7】 感度=G/[CFD+(1−B)・CLN+CIN] したがって、照度に応じて利得制御信号VGCで増幅回
路7のでんあるゲインBを0から1まで変化させること
により、CCD固体撮像素子の出力部の感度を(数3)
から(数8)まで変化させることができる。
[Expression 7] Sensitivity = G / [C FD + (1−B) · C LN + C IN ] Therefore, the gain B of the amplifier circuit 7 is changed from 0 to 1 by the gain control signal VGC according to the illuminance. Therefore, the sensitivity of the output section of the CCD solid-state image sensor is
To (Equation 8).

【0021】[0021]

【数8】感度=G/[CFD+CIN] 上記したように、この実施例によれば、出力信号を入力
し外部から利得制御可能な増幅回路7と、電荷検出部2
と出力バッファ回路5とを接続する配線6と並行に形成
された導体8を備え、この導体8と増幅回路7の出力側
とを接続しているので、出力信号に対する配線6と導体
8間の等価的な配線容量を増幅回路7の電圧ゲインによ
って変化させてセンス容量を変化させることができ、出
力部の感度を照度に対応して調整することができる。し
たがって、この実施例回路によれば、照度に対応して感
度を制御することができるので、外部回路の入力レンジ
の飽和を防止することができ、システムのダイナミック
レンジを拡大することができる。このため、利得制御可
能なCCD固体撮像素子の出力部を構成することができ
る。
[Equation 8] Sensitivity = G / [C FD + C IN ] As described above, according to this embodiment, the amplifier circuit 7 that receives the output signal and can control the gain from the outside, and the charge detection unit 2 are provided.
Since the conductor 8 formed in parallel with the wiring 6 for connecting the output buffer circuit 5 to the output buffer circuit 5 is connected to the output side of the amplifier circuit 7, the conductor 8 is connected between the wiring 6 and the conductor 8 for an output signal. The equivalent wiring capacitance can be changed by the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit 7 to change the sense capacitance, and the sensitivity of the output section can be adjusted according to the illuminance. Therefore, according to the circuit of this embodiment, the sensitivity can be controlled according to the illuminance, so that the saturation of the input range of the external circuit can be prevented and the dynamic range of the system can be expanded. Therefore, the output part of the CCD solid-state image sensor capable of gain control can be configured.

【0022】[0022]

【発明の効果】この発明の電荷検出回路によれば、出力
信号を入力し外部から利得制御可能な増幅回路と、電荷
検出部と出力バッファ回路とを接続する配線と並行に形
成された導体を備え、この導体と増幅回路の出力側とを
接続しているので、出力信号に対する配線と導体間の等
価的な配線容量を増幅回路の電圧ゲインによって変化さ
せてセンス容量を変化させることができ、出力部の感度
を照度に対応して調整することができる。したがって、
この実施例回路によれば、照度に対応して感度を制御す
ることができるので、利得制御可能なCCD固体撮像素
子の出力部を構成することができる。
According to the charge detection circuit of the present invention, an amplifier circuit capable of inputting an output signal and controlling the gain from the outside, and a conductor formed in parallel with the wiring connecting the charge detection unit and the output buffer circuit are provided. Since the conductor is connected to the output side of the amplifier circuit, the equivalent capacitance between the wiring for the output signal and the conductor can be changed by the voltage gain of the amplifier circuit to change the sense capacitance. The sensitivity of the output unit can be adjusted according to the illuminance. Therefore,
According to the circuit of this embodiment, the sensitivity can be controlled according to the illuminance, so that the output section of the CCD solid-state image sensor capable of gain control can be configured.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】この発明の実施例である電荷検出回路をCCD
固体撮像素子の出力部に使用した場合の構成を示す概略
図である。
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a charge detection circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention as a CCD.
It is a schematic diagram showing composition when used for an output part of a solid-state image sensing device.

【図2】この発明の原理となる容量に対する考えを説明
する図である。
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an idea of a capacity, which is the principle of the present invention.

【図3】従来のCCD固体撮像素子の出力部の構成を示
す概略図である。
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an output unit of a conventional CCD solid-state imaging device.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

1 半導体基板 2 電荷検出部 3 浮遊拡散層 4 リセット用FET 5 出力バッファ回路 6 配線 7 増幅回路 8 導体 1 Semiconductor Substrate 2 Charge Detection Section 3 Floating Diffusion Layer 4 FET for Reset 5 Output Buffer Circuit 6 Wiring 7 Amplifier Circuit 8 Conductor

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 電荷検出部と、前記電荷検出部の出力信
号を入力する出力バッファ回路と、前記出力信号を入力
し外部から利得制御可能な増幅回路と、前記電荷検出部
と前記出力バッファ回路とを接続する配線と並行に形成
された導体とを備え、前記導体と前記増幅回路の出力側
とを接続したことを特徴とする電荷検出回路。
1. A charge detection unit, an output buffer circuit for inputting an output signal of the charge detection unit, an amplifier circuit for inputting the output signal and capable of gain control from the outside, the charge detection unit and the output buffer circuit. A charge detection circuit, comprising: a wiring formed in parallel with a wiring for connecting to each other, and connecting the conductor to an output side of the amplification circuit.
JP4280006A 1992-10-19 1992-10-19 Charge detecting circuit Pending JPH06132322A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4280006A JPH06132322A (en) 1992-10-19 1992-10-19 Charge detecting circuit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP4280006A JPH06132322A (en) 1992-10-19 1992-10-19 Charge detecting circuit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH06132322A true JPH06132322A (en) 1994-05-13

Family

ID=17618994

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP4280006A Pending JPH06132322A (en) 1992-10-19 1992-10-19 Charge detecting circuit

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH06132322A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003101882A (en) * 2001-09-19 2003-04-04 Sony Corp Solid-state image pickup element

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003101882A (en) * 2001-09-19 2003-04-04 Sony Corp Solid-state image pickup element

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