Patent ID: 7884870
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising: a pixel array in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are arrayed in a row direction and a column direction; a plurality of first column signal lines, which are electrically connected to pixels arrayed in the pixel array in the column direction, respectively; a plurality of column amplification units, which amplify signals provided via the plurality of first column signal lines, respectively; a power supply line, which provides a power supply voltage to each of the plurality of column amplification units; and a plurality of second column signal lines, which are electrically connected to output sides of the plurality of column amplification units, respectively, wherein each of the plurality of column amplification units include an output buffer with a current limiting unit that limits flow of an excessive current to each of the plurality of second column signal lines, and wherein each of the current limiting units is arranged between the power supply line and an output terminal of a corresponding output buffer electrically connected to a corresponding second column signal line, respectively.