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Solid-state imaging apparatus and imaging with a limiting circuit for limiting an amplifier output in first and second periods to first and second ranges

  • US 9,942,497 B2
  • Filed: 03/27/2014
  • Issued: 04/10/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:

  • a pixel unit including a photoelectric conversion unit configured to generate a first signal by a photoelectric conversion and a pixel amplification unit configured to input the first signal and to output a second signal onto an output line;

    an amplifier unit, connected to the output line, configured to amplify the second signal output onto the output line by the pixel unit; and

    a limiting circuit configured to limit a level of an output signal from the amplifier unit, whereinas the second signal, the pixel unit outputs a noise signal under a reset state during a first period and outputs a pixel signal under a non-reset state during a second period,the limiting circuit limits the level of the output signal from the amplifier unit in the first period to a first range, and limits the level of the output signal from the amplifier unit in the second period to a second range, the first range being narrower than the second range, andthe limiting circuit is switched from the first range to the second range before the second period,the amplifier unit has a differential amplifier having a first input node and a second input node,the pixel signal from the pixel unit is input to the first input node, and a reference voltage is input to the second input node, andthe first range is determined based on the reference voltage and an offset voltage of the differential amplifier.

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