Pixel Selection Circuit Layout for Flexible Vertical Read Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing photoelectric conversion apparatus with only one selection transistor per pixel restricts vertical scanning operations, leading to unusable vertical signal lines, especially when performing multiple concurrent scanning operations, and this issue worsens with an increasing number of signal lines.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric conversion apparatus with multiple selection circuits per pixel, allowing for flexible connection of vertical signal lines to selection circuits, enabling both single and multiple read scanning operations without major hardware restrictions, even with a large number of vertical signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only one selection transistor is disposed in each pixel to simplify the structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the number of unusable vertical signal lines increases when performing multiple concurrent vertical read scanning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pixel structure is segmented to include multiple selection transistors (first selection transistor connected to first vertical signal line, second selection transistor connected to second vertical signal line) instead of a single selection transistor. This segmentation allows different vertical signal lines to be independently controlled, enabling multiple concurrent vertical read scanning operations without interference, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and scanning operation flexibility.
2Productivity
If multiple vertical signal lines are disposed on each pixel column to increase reading capacity, then productivity is improved, but the number of unusable vertical signal lines increases due to connection restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
Each pixel is equipped with multiple selection transistors that can selectively connect to multiple vertical signal lines, making the pixel structure universal and adaptable to different vertical scanning configurations. The first selection transistor connects to the first vertical signal line while the second selection transistor connects to the second vertical signal line, allowing all vertical signal lines to be effectively utilized across different scanning modes, thus eliminating unusable signal lines while maintaining increased reading capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising: pixels; L (L≥3) vertical signal lines disposed on each pixel column; M (M≥2) selection circuits disposed in each pixel, each of the selection circuits respectively connecting one of the pixels to a different vertical signal line; a vertical scanning circuit configured to scan the selection circuits; and a control unit. The control unit sets first operation mode in which the vertical scanning circuit performs a single read scanning operation at a time, and a second operation mode in which the vertical scanning circuit performs multiple read scanning operations at a time. In the first operation mode, the control unit uses first selection circuit out of the M selection circuits for scanning operation. In the second operation mode, the control unit uses a second selection circuit, which is different from the first selection circuit, out of the M selection circuits for scanning operation.